CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) Awareness Day is a day to raise awareness of this rare degenerative brain disease that develops after repeated head trauma, commonly reported in football, boxing and hockey players, and sometimes victims of domestic violence. It is held every year on January 30th to spread the word. There is little that can be done to diagnose this disease in its early stages, but wearing protective headgear when playing sports can go a long way. This neurological disorder can only be diagnosed through post-mortem brain examinations, and people suffering from this neurological disorder have problems with impulse control, aggression, depression, irritability, paranoia, anxiety, memory problems and sleep disorders. . (Also read: Main lifestyle habits that increase the risk of dementia)
Although a single injury to the head is unlikely to cause this condition, repeated injuries appear to trigger the degenerative disease. Anyone who sustains a head injury while playing sports and is experiencing mood swings or depressive symptoms should seek medical attention.
On CTE Awareness Day, Dr. Vipul Gupta, Director of Neurointerventions and Co-Head of Stroke Department, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, sheds light on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), which is gaining increasing attention in the field of neurology. Masu.
“CTE is a progressive brain disorder primarily associated with repetitive head trauma, especially those sustained in contact sports such as football, boxing, and hockey,” Dr. Gupta said, adding that the disease often goes undiagnosed. Because of this, we are appealing for the need to raise awareness about this disease. Later stages lead to severe neurological effects.
All about CTE
From symptoms, progression, and prevention, Dr. Gupta discusses important aspects of CTE in an interview with HT Digital.
1. Association with repetitive head trauma
CTE is characterized by the accumulation of abnormal tau protein in the brain. A buildup of this protein is thought to be caused by repeated head trauma, even if the injury does not immediately cause symptoms.
2. Symptoms and progression
Early symptoms of CTE are subtle and often overlooked. These may include memory loss, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating. As the condition progresses, people may experience more severe cognitive and emotional impairments.
3. Diagnostic challenges
Diagnosing CTE presents significant challenges. Currently, the only definitive diagnosis is through post-mortem brain examination. Dr. Gupta emphasizes the importance of continued research to develop reliable diagnostic tools to identify CTE in living individuals.
4. Prevention and mitigation
Although complete prevention may be difficult, you can take steps to reduce your risk of CTE. Proper use of helmets, changes to sports rules, and increased awareness of the effects of head trauma are important steps to minimizing the effects of repetitive trauma.
5. Research efforts
Dr. Vipul Gupta encourages support for ongoing research efforts aimed at better understanding CTE. Advances in imaging technology and biomarker research hold promise for improved early detection and management of this debilitating disease.
