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Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a degenerative brain disease that has been linked to concussions and other head trauma common in military combat and contact sports. Here are some facts about CTE that you might not know:
• CTE can only be diagnosed definitively after death through a brain autopsy, as it involves progressive degeneration of brain tissue and the buildup of an abnormal protein called tau in distinctive patterns.
• The disease affects brain regions that regulate behavior and emotions, potentially leading to memory loss, depression, violent mood swings and other cognitive and behavioral problems, though these symptoms can also stem from other illnesses.
• Symptoms can emerge years or decades after the last brain trauma occurred, making it difficult to establish immediate connections between head injuries and later mental health issues.
• The disease has been found in more than 100 former NFL players, including Hall of Famers like Ken Stabler, Frank Gifford, and Junior Seau, as well as in high school athletes with shorter playing careers.
• A 2017 research study found evidence of CTE in 110 out of 111 former NFL players’ brains examined, highlighting the prevalence of the condition among professional football players.
This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Ann Wog, Managing Editor for Digital, at awog@washingtontimes.com
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