title: The science and questions surrounding chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
abstract: Recently, the pathobiology, causes, associated factors, incidence and prevalence, and natural history of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) have been debated. Data from retrospective case series and high-profile media reports have fueled public fear and affected the medical community's understanding of the role of sports-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the development of CTE. There are a number of limitations posed by the current evidence that can lead to confusion within the public and scientific community. In this paper, the authors address common questions surrounding the science of CTE and propose future research directions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas;
authors.forename: Vin Shen
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Ban
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas;
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Madden
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, NorthShore University HealthSystem, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Evanston, Illinois; and.
authors.forename: Julian E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bailes
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas;
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hunt Batjer
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: Russell R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Lonser
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D020208:Brain Injury, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D000070627:Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005538:Football; D006801:Humans; D012586:Science
keywords: CTE = chronic traumatic encephalopathy; FTLD = frontotemporal lobar degeneration; NFL = National Football League; NFT = neurofibrillary tangle; NIH = National Institutes of Health; NT = neuritic thread; TBI = traumatic brain injury; chronic traumatic encephalopathy; concussion; controversies; diagnosis; p-tau = hyperphosphorylated tau; research directions; subconcussion; treatment