Neurodegeneration after mild and repetitive traumatic brain injury: Chronic traumatic encepalopathy

• Main Authors: Stanescu Ioana, Dogaru Gabriela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Romanian Association of Balneology, Editura Balneara 2015-09-01
• Series: Balneo Research Journal
• Subjects: mild traumatic brain injury; traumatic encephalopathy; neurodegeneration; tau aggregates; cognitive impairment
• Online Access: http://bioclima.ro/Balneo97.pdf

Repetitive brain trauma is associated with a progressive neurological deterioration, now termed as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Although research on the long-term effects of TBI is advancing quickly, the incidence and prevalence of post-traumatic neurodegeneration and CTE are unknown. The incidence and prevalence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and the genetic risk factors critical to its development are currently under research. CTE can be diagnosed only by post mortem neuropathological examination of the brain. Great efforts are being made to better understand the clinical signs and symptoms of CTE, obtained in most cases retrospectively from families of affected persons.Patients with CTE are described as having behavioral, mood, cognitive and motor impairments, occurring after a long latency from the traumatic events. Recent pathogenetic studies have provided new insights to CTE mechanisms, offering important clues in understanding neurodegenerative process and relations between physical factors and pathologic protein deposition. Further research is needed to better identify the genetic and environmental risk factors for CTE, as well as rehabilitation and treatment strategies.