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

Meanwhile, Vontae’s ex wife Megan Harpe suggested the former cornerback was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). —Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024

Researchers have found high rates of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)—a degenerative brain disease characterized by memory loss, confusion, mood swings, violence, suicidality and more—in autopsy studies of professional football players. —TIME, 5 Feb. 2024

The degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is tied to concussions and brain trauma but cannot be diagnosed until a person is deceased and their brain can be studied. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2024

Having absorbed so many blows to the head, Kramer suspects that the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, might have played a role in his depression. —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2023

Wyatt was part of the first major study of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in athletes who died before turning 30. —Kassie Bracken, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2023

Given the prominence of football and chronic traumatic encephalopathy in the national discourse, parents are now pretty equipped to ask youth sports leagues general questions about concussion and safety protocols. —Stuart Wallace, STAT, 26 June 2023

The family plans to have Sturgeon tested for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, also known as CTE, a form of brain degeneration that has been found in professional athletes who have suffered concussions. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 13 Apr. 2023

Samples from alleged gunman Robert Card's brain have been sent for additional testing to Boston University, the spokesperson said, which has the nation's largest brain bank focused on studying chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. —Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 11 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

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