chronic traumatic encephalopathy

noun

|Updated on: 15 Jul 2018

Definition of chronic traumatic encephalopathy

: a progressive neurological disease that is found especially in athletes (such as boxers, wrestlers, or football players) who have experienced repetitive, mild injury to the brain and that is characterized by short-term memory loss, concentration deficits, confusion, depression, behavioral and personality changes (such as an increase in irritability, impulsivity, or aggression), speech and gait abnormalities, parkinsonism, and dementia —abbreviation CTE — called also dementia pugilistica, punch-drunk syndrome

Note: The neurological deterioration of chronic traumatic encephalopathy is accompanied by atrophy of the frontal and temporal lobes and accumulation of tau protein in neurofibrillary tangles.

Recent Examples of chronic traumatic encephalopathy from the Web

The family in those interviews said the autopsy results indicated that their son had signs of extensive brain damage known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, which has been found in hundreds of former NFL players.

— CBS News, "Tyler Hilinski, Washington State football player, had brain damage at time of suicide," 26 June 2018
But that’s just semantics after Tuesday’s news that Hilinski had the early stages of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

— nancy armour, USA TODAY, "Football kills. No other conclusion after autopsy finds CTE in college player," 26 June 2018
His parents blame the changes in his brain on chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE, a traumatic and degenerative brain disease detected in many older athletes.

— deborah horne, ajc, "Washington State football player had brain damage at suicide," 28 June 2018
Over 99% of those players settled claims with the NFL, though new findings on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) could undermine the settlement.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "Analyzing Dustin Fowler's Lawsuit Against the Chicago White Sox," 13 Jan. 2018
In 2014, the former Pittsburg State linebacker committed suicide at 26, leaving behind instructions to have his brain studied for evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.

— mike finger, San Antonio Express-News, "As first CTE trial begins, former players finally get a voice," 2 June 2018
Called the Dave Duerson Act, the proposed law is named after the former Bears player who took his own life after suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy caused by football concussions.

— kate shepherd, Chicago Reader, "News / Did You Read __________? University of Chicago defends Steve Bannon debate invite citing freedom of speech, and other news," 26 Jan. 2018
In some cases, that head trauma can also lead to the deteriorating brain condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.

— CBS News, "Helmet technology for the football field could help protect soldiers on the battlefield," 22 May 2018
Playing football professionally has been linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease.

— sean gregory, Time, "Playing Youth Tackle Football Is Linked to Earlier Symptoms of Brain Disease," 30 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chronic traumatic encephalopathy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of chronic traumatic encephalopathy

1957

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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