CTE Brain Damage - Essay Example

CTE is a degenerative mental illness which most cases attack athletes, boxers and footballers. This disease affects people who have been having repeated brain trauma which may include numerous blows to the head without becoming unconscious. CTE is commonly caused by knocking off the head against hard objects and vibrating or shaking the head heavily while running or playing football (Pellman et al, 2006). Strong vibrations and several blows to the head usually cause traumatic brain injuries leading to the formation of a protein called CTE. CTE is a form of a protein called Tau which has the tendency of forming clumps that grow across the brain thus killing the brain cells. Athletics, boxers, footballers and military officers are at high risk of developing this disease because they are usually prone to traumatic brain injuries as a result of the nature of their job.

CTE is mainly caused by a cyclic punch to the head maintained over a very long period of time. It, therefore, means that occasional hit of the head does not make one to develop CTE. This is because most people who have been diagnosed with the disease have a long history of experiencing head impact for a very long time. These people are associated with playing contact sports or-or working in the military (Pellman et al, 2006). This disease is not just caused by concussions but a hit on the head that does not lead to a full concussion.

The part of the brain of a person that undergoes from traumatic brain injury usually weakens and after a very long period of time loses its mass. There are specific parts of the brain where atrophy can develop although other areas are likely to become enlarged due to repetitive brain impact. There are also other areas which accumulate tau protein which has a function of stabilizing cellular structure in the neurons. It can also become defective and cause brain damage.

The most common symptoms of CTE are a loss of memory, impaired judgment, erotic behavior and behavioral disturbances. The victim may also have bodily imbalance and depression. These symptoms may be assumed as a normal process of becoming of age or may not get a correct diagnosis because its symptoms are the same as other conditions such as Parkinson's disease.

According to the current research, there is no known evidence that only one concussion is likely to increase the chance of contracting CTE disease. It is also not a must that everybody with a recurring concussion is likely to develop CTE. The researcher denoted that CTE can only be developed when one has had a repetitive hit to the head but not impact on the head that causes loss of consciousness. The only evidence that the recent research support is that moderate and severe traumatic mental injuries have a higher likelihood of exposing an individual to a higher risk of developing CTE.

To date, there is no know examination that can be done to determine CTE. This is because CTE is a new area where there are no formal clinical procedures that can be used in its diagnosis. The only diagnosis which can be used is autopsy which can only be done after death. This disease cannot be treated but can be prevented by some measures which minimize repetitive head injuries. Such measures include wearing protective clothing when playing contact games such as football and athletics (Stein and McKee, 2014). The only benefit that people with recognized symptoms of CTE can receive a special medical care similar to those who have Alzheimers disease and other kinds of dementia. Care providers for CTE victims are helped by being taught what they expect from people suffering from brain damage.

References

Stein, TD; Alvarez, VE; McKee, AC (2014). "Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: a spectrum of neuropathological changes following repetitive brain trauma in athletes and militarypersonnel". Alzheimer's research & therapy. 6

Pellman EJ, et al (2006). "Concussion in professional football: helmet testing to assess impactperformance part 11". Neurosurgery. 58: 7896; discussion 7896.