CTE

Question 1

Tau-opathy definition

Answer 1

irregularly patterned hyperphosphorylated Tau deposition around small vessels at the depths of cortical sulci

Question 2

What is tau

Answer 2

Structural protein found in axons

Question 3

CTE signs and symptoms

Answer 3

Early onset dementia, cognitive impairment, rage, anger, depression, confusion, behavioural changes

Question 4

When does CTE occur

Answer 4

Years to decades after the head trauma occurrence

Question 5

CTE Stage 1

Answer 5

Normal brain weight
Focal tau aggregates present in 1-2 different lobes

Question 6

CTE Stage 2

Answer 6

Normal brain weight
Focal tau aggregates present in multiple cortical regions

Question 7

CTE Stage 3

Answer 7

Reduced brain weight
Tau depositions are widespread (including brainstem)

Question 8

CTE Stage 4

Answer 8

Marked reduction in brain weight
Severe tau deposits in most regions of the cortex

Question 9

Punch-drunk syndrome

Answer 9

Multiple traumatic hemorrhagic lesions in the brain due to repetitive head trauma leading to neurodegenerative disorders

Question 10

CTE and Dementia

Answer 10

Those with CTE pathology, according to medical records, had higher frequency of dementia, psychosis, movement disorders, and alcohol abuse than those without

Question 11

Repetitive impacts

Answer 11

The brain and body gets into a chronic inflammatory state that can affect the brains function

Question 12

Gut brain axis

Answer 12

A biochemical signalling pathway that occurs between the GI tract and the CNS

Question 13

Chronic inflammation and digestive tract

Answer 13

Increases intestinal permeability, which can prompt an increased systemic immune response

Question 14

Issues of the role of the media

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Psychosocial effects of CTE media

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Potential causes of CTE

Answer 16

Aging (primary age-related taupathy, age-related tau astrogilopathy, alzheimers disease, parkinsons disease(

Opioid use

Modifiable risk factors

Question 17

Primary age-related tauopathy

Answer 17

Neurofibrillary degeneration with or without clinical symptoms

Often in temporal lobe

Can be differentiated from CTE if accounted for

Question 18

Age-related tau astrogliopathy

Answer 18

Tau accumulation at sulcal depths and around small vessels

Question 19

CTE and opioid use

Answer 19

Drug abusers have an increase in neurofibrillary tangles/tau deposition compared to contrls

Question 20

Difficulties with studying CTE

Answer 20

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