Abstract
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a devastating neuropsychological condition afflicting a small percentage of athletes partaking in high-impact sports. The onset of symptoms lags years behind the inciting events. Repetitive minor head injuries are felt to be the main etiology behind CTE. Routine radiographic imaging generally is unremarkable in cases of CTE. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) are advanced MRI-based sequences that have shown promise in detecting early radiographic findings that may be reflective of CTE. Progressive neuronal loss is the histopathological hallmark of this neurodegenerative disease. Strategizing earlier detection techniques is paramount in delivering optimal care to athletes afflicted with CTE.
Highlights
EpidemiologyOne and a half million Americans suffer traumatic brain injuries without loss of consciousness or hospitalization on an annual basis [1]
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a devastating neuropsychological condition afflicting a small percentage of athletes partaking in high-impact sports
Functional magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) are advanced MRI-based sequences that have shown promise in detecting early radiographic findings that may be reflective of CTE
Summary
One and a half million Americans suffer traumatic brain injuries without loss of consciousness or hospitalization on an annual basis [1]. Sports-related chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) manifests as a progressive worsening of cerebral neurological symptoms, initiated by, and perhaps worsened by, repetitive concussions and subconcussive injuries. Et al compared MRI with DTI in 49 professional boxers and found only nonspecific white matter changes on MRI, but diffusion anisotropy analysis revealed a decrease in the average diffusion constant and whole brain diffusion [28] These changes may indicate an early response to a concussion in athletes and could become a useful tool for both detecting early damage and monitoring long-term neurological deficits. Further findings suggest that complete metabolic recovery may be delayed if a second concussion occurs within a short time interval from the first and that further abnormal metabolic changes may take place This suggests that there are chronological differences in clinical recovery and metabolic recovery following a mild traumatic brain injury [33]. Further refinement of this new model will inevitably take place in the future, allowing researchers and clinicians to bridge the gap between the lab and clinical arena
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