Acquired brain injuries and CTE

Question 1

what are the impacts of ABI on biological functioning

Answer 1

seizures, movement impairment and smeel/oflaction impairment

Question 2

what causes seizures

Answer 2

occur as a result of scars left by brain injury that produce a sudden abnormal electrical disturbance in the brain

Question 3

what causes movement impairment

Answer 3

paralysis occurs because the brain is unable to send adequate motor neural messages to the bodys skeletal muscles (can occur as a result of injury to any part of tthe brain)

Question 4

why does olfactory/smell impairment occur

Answer 4

an obstructed nasal airway or harmed neural pathway

Question 5

smell/olfactory impairment may be…

Answer 5

temporary or permanent loss of smell, loss of some smells, increased sensitivity to some smells

Question 6

impact of ABI om psychological functioning

Answer 6

memory loss, personality changes, increased susceptibility

Question 7

how does memory loss occur

Answer 7

if certain areas of the brain which control memory are damaged (e.g. hippocampus)

Question 8

memory loss can be..

Answer 8

short term, long term, complete amnesia

Question 9

how do personality changes occur

Answer 9

following a brain injury, particuraly to the frontal lobe, can cause alterations in an individuals emotional and behavioural regulations

Question 10

increased susceptibility to mental health disorders occur why

Answer 10

dysfunction in certain areas of the brain, brain injury can induce or exacerbate mental health

Question 11

impact of ABI on social functioning

Answer 11

job productivity, social support, antisocial behavioural

Question 12

CTE stands for

Answer 12

chronic traumatic encephalopathy

Question 13

chronic traumatic encephalopathy

Answer 13

a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated head injuries and concussion

Question 14

neurodegenerative disease

Answer 14

disease characterised by the progressive loss of neurons in the brain

Question 15

How is CTE a neurodegenerative disease

Answer 15

because in CTE, damage to neurons occurs overtime and brain functioning progressively worsens

Question 16

how can CTE cause death

Answer 16

CTE can become fatal as the brain reaches its point of [degeneration in which it is difficult to function and sustain life

Question 17

who is CTE most prevelent in

Answer 17

older athletes, war veterans and other people who have had repeated concussions, typically appears 8-10 yrs after concussions

Question 18

symptoms of CTE

Answer 18

memory loss, behavioural changes, problems with attention and concentration

Question 19

how are the four stages of cte described

Answer 19

very mild, mild, moderate and severe

Question 20

what occurs during stage 1 (very mild) of CTE

Answer 20

headaches, loss of attention and concentration

Question 21

what occurs during stage 2 (mild) of CTE

Answer 21

mood swings, depression

Question 22

what occurs during stage 3 (moderate) of CTE

Answer 22

memory loss, executive dysfunction

Question 23

what occurs during stage 4 (severe) of CTE

Answer 23

dementia, language difficulties and paranoia

Question 24

how can CTE be comppletely confirmed/diagnosed

Answer 24

through a post-mortem autopsy, not possible to diagnose CTE through neuroimaging

Question 25

what indicates that CTE is present in an individual

Answer 25

the build-up of p-tau (a protein) in regions of the brain - this can be determined through a structural neuroimaging technique

Question 27

neurofibrillary tangles

Answer 27

stops the neuron from transporting essential substances, impairs communication and results in neural death

Question 28

why cant CTE be diagnosed easily

Answer 28

symptoms are very simsilar to parkinsons and alzheimers

Question 29

what are the treatments of CTE

Answer 29

CTE is incurable and irreversable but medications can be used to manage symptoms and therapies to stabilise mood, cognition and behaviour, prevention is key

Question 30

how is CTE prevented

Answer 30

timely treatment of concusion, adhering to rest rules, wearing helmets