title: Does a Unique Neuropsychiatric Profile Currently Exist for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy?
abstract: There is evidence that repetitive mild traumatic brain injury leads to specific patterns of neuropathological findings, labeled chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). However, questions remain about whether these neuropathological changes produce changes in behavior, cognition, and emotional status that are associated with a unique neuropsychiatric profile that can be assessed using currently available clinical tools. Our review of the literature indicates that insufficient evidence currently exists to suggest a distinct neuropsychiatric profile for CTE. Major limitations to the field presently include the relatively nascent nature of the topic, reliance on retrospective next-of-kin reporting, the lack of prospective studies, and similarities in neuropsychiatric symptoms between CTE, other neurodegenerative disorders and forms of psychopathology. Clinicians and researchers alike have a responsibility to adopt a cautious and balanced approach for antemortem assessments to minimize the potential unintended negative consequences of both overdiagnosing and underdiagnosing a clinical entity that has yet to be clearly established.
authors.affiliation: 1The Mind Research Network/Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM; 2Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM; 3Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine Division, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM; 4Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM; 5Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.
authors.forename: Faith M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Hanlon
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McGrew
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Mayer
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D000070627:Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003943:Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D063189:Symptom Assessment / Q000379:methods*