CTE Flashcards
Tau-opathy definition
irregularly patterned hyperphosphorylated Tau deposition around small vessels at the depths of cortical sulci
What is tau
Structural protein found in axons
CTE signs and symptoms
Early onset dementia, cognitive impairment, rage, anger, depression, confusion, behavioural changes
When does CTE occur
Years to decades after the head trauma occurrence
CTE Stage 1
Normal brain weight
Focal tau aggregates present in 1-2 different lobes
CTE Stage 2
Normal brain weight
Focal tau aggregates present in multiple cortical regions
CTE Stage 3
Reduced brain weight
Tau depositions are widespread (including brainstem)
CTE Stage 4
Marked reduction in brain weight
Severe tau deposits in most regions of the cortex
Punch-drunk syndrome
Multiple traumatic hemorrhagic lesions in the brain due to repetitive head trauma leading to neurodegenerative disorders
CTE and Dementia
Those with CTE pathology, according to medical records, had higher frequency of dementia, psychosis, movement disorders, and alcohol abuse than those without
Repetitive impacts
The brain and body gets into a chronic inflammatory state that can affect the brains function
Gut brain axis
A biochemical signalling pathway that occurs between the GI tract and the CNS
Chronic inflammation and digestive tract
Increases intestinal permeability, which can prompt an increased systemic immune response
Issues of the role of the media
Inaccurately portraying what we think we know
Suicide and depression has been associated to be caused by CTE without evidence
Victim complex and accusing organizations
Psychosocial effects of CTE media
Signs and symptoms attributed to specific neuropathology we cant actually diagnose in vivo
Some athletes dealing with retirement from sport are more prone to go through a period of mental health struggles
Potential causes of CTE
Aging (primary age-related taupathy, age-related tau astrogilopathy, alzheimers disease, parkinsons disease(
Opioid use
Modifiable risk factors
Primary age-related tauopathy
Neurofibrillary degeneration with or without clinical symptoms
Often in temporal lobe
Can be differentiated from CTE if accounted for
Age-related tau astrogliopathy
Tau accumulation at sulcal depths and around small vessels
CTE and opioid use
Drug abusers have an increase in neurofibrillary tangles/tau deposition compared to contrls
Difficulties with studying CTE
Current diagnosis is only post mortem
Most research uses family interviews for information gathering
Difficult to get samples (sample bias)
Separating from what we think we know and what we actually know
Could be other causes/explanations
