Chronic Encephalopathy (CTE) May Affect Memory, Mood, Behavior

Chronic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a disease caused by repeated brain trauma. The disease has been seen in patients as young as 17 years old. Currently, the disease can only be diagnosed postmortem and has been in the spotlight lately due to the rising focus on concussions. CTE has been blamed for several suicides and even murders. Last year, 2012, Junior Seau (retired NLF player) committed suicide and it was highly speculated that CTE was the culprit. Pathology reports confirmed that Seau's brain showed evidence of this chronic condition. In 2007, Chris Benoit, a WWE wrestler, committed suicide after killing his wife and son. At first, it was thought that Benoit's behavior was due to abusing anabolic steroids.  

Research: 

In a recent study published online in an issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, scientists examined the brains of 36 male athletes, ages 17 to 98, diagnosed with CTE after death, and who had no other brain disease, such as Alzheimer's. The majority of the athletes had played amateur or professional football, with the rest participating in hockey, wrestling or boxing.

The medical records were examined by researchers and families were also interviewed. The families were asked about the athletes' behavior, changes in memory, dementia and mood.

Results:

Behavior and Mood Problems (Group 1):

22 of the athletes had behavior and mood problems as their first symptoms of CTE with symptoms appearing at an average age of 35. 91 percent of this group experienced symptoms of memory and thinking decline at some point. This group was more explosive, out of control, physically and verbally violent and depressed more than the group that experienced memory and thinking deficits, with family members reporting that 73 percent of those in the first group were "explosive," compared to 27 percent in the second group. 64 percent of the this group were described as being "out of control". 68 percent were physically violent. 74 percent were verbally violent.  And 86 percent had depression.

Memory and Thinking Problems (Group 2):

11 had memory and thinking problems as their first symptoms with symptoms appearing at an average age of 59. 55 percent of this group experienced behavior symptoms and 64 percent experienced mood symptoms at some point. 27 percent of this group were described as being "out of control". 18 percent were physically violent, verbally violent, and had depression. 

Comments:

It is very evident from the results that a person that is suffering from CTE is going to exhibit memory, mood, and behavior problems. The only issue cited by the researchers is that this study did not have a control group of players that did not suffer from CTE. The interest in concussions has increased in the last couple of years and so have the studies in this area. As a clinician that sees the prevalence of concussion, I see the need of more research in the area as well. We need better guidelines for return to play and I also hope to see a way of diagnosing CTE through the use of imaging. 

Reference:

American Academy of Neurology (AAN). "Disease caused by repeat brain trauma in athletes may affect memory, mood, behavior."ScienceDaily, 21 Aug. 2013. Web. 1 Sep. 2013.