Chronic traumatic encephalopathy

• CTE can only be diagnosed via autopsy
• CTE is most frequently associated with professional athletes, though this population is also exposed to more risk factors than mild traumatic brain injury alone, including chronic pain +/- opioid misuse, repeated exposures to anesthesia, alcohol, depression, OSA, weight gain over time, cardiac risk factors, among others
  • The Harvard Football Players Health Study

References

Roberts AL, et al. Modifiable risk factors for poor cognitive function in former American-style football players: findings from the Harvard football players health study. 2021. Journal of Neurotrauma 38:189-195. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32640866/