CTE, also referred to as dementia pugilistica (or punch drunk syndrome), is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease caused by repetitive concussive and subconcussive brain trauma, and eventually leads to dementia. Although it is well established in boxers, in recent years, CTE has been shown to exist in other athletes, including professional and collegiate football players and a professional hockey player. CTE was first reported in the medical literature in 1928, and the terms Traumatic Encephalopathy and CTE were first used in the 1960s.

The disease is characterized by the build-up of a toxic protein called tau in the form of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and neuropil threads (NTs) throughout the brain. The abnormal protein initially impairs the normal functioning of the brain and eventually kills brain cells. Early on, CTE sufferers may display clinical symptoms such as memory impairment, emotional instability, erratic behavior, depression and problems with impulse control. However, CTE eventually progresses to full-blown dementia. Although similar to Alzheimer's disease, CTE is an entirely distinct disease.

The CSTE was created in 2008 as a collaborative venture between Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and the non-profit Sports Legacy Institute (SLI). The mission of the CSTE is to conduct state-of-the-art research of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, including its neuropathology and pathogenesis, the clinical presentation and course, methods of diagnosis and early detection, the genetics and other risk factors for CTE, and ways of preventing and treating this cause of dementia. The CSTE is co-directed by Cantu, Ann McKee, MD, Robert Stern, PhD and Chris Nowinski. For further information, visit www.bu/CSTE.

Source: Boston University Medical Center