chronic traumatic encephalopathy

noun

: 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.

Examples of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Subsequent study of Thomas’ brain led to a 2022 announcement that Boston University researchers had diagnosed him with Stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease caused by repetitive head trauma. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 27 May 2025

On the May 14 episode of his podcast, Armchair Expert, Shepard, 50, talked with author and neuroscientist Christopher Nowinski about chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 15 May 2025

Davis’ ex-wife told investigators that he had been treated for CTE, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, according to the report released Friday. —Victoria Ballard, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025

Research shows football players are more likely to develop chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. —Kate Wolffe, Sacramento Bee, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chronic traumatic encephalopathy

• cardiomyopathy
• coagulopathy
• homoeopathy
• polyneuropathy
• radiculopathy
• enteropathy
• myelopathy
• retinopathy
• myopathy
• psychopathy

Medical Definition

chronic traumatic encephalopathy

noun

: a progressive neurological disease that is found especially in athletes (as boxers, wrestlers, or football players) who have experienced repetitive, typically minor injury (as concussion) to the brain and 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.

… it is only in the past decade that scientists have identified the problem in American football players. They have also been able to identify, on autopsy, pathological markers for the disease, now called chronic traumatic encephalopathy …

—Jeffrey Bartholet, Scientific American

[Dr. Robert] Cantu said that symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy include depression and erratic behavior, but he declined to speculate on any role the condition played in Benoit's final violent acts.

—Alan Schwarz, The New York Times