Chronic traumatic encephalopathy — confusion and controversies

Smith, D. H., Johnson, V. E., Trojanowski, J. Q. and Stewart, W. (2019) Chronic traumatic encephalopathy — confusion and controversies. Nature Reviews Neurology, 15, pp. 179-183. (doi: 10.1038/s41582-018-0114-8) (PMID:30664683)

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Abstract

The term chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has recently entered public consciousness via media reports and even a Hollywood movie. However, in contrast to general impressions, the incidence of CTE is unknown, the clinical diagnostic criteria have not been agreed upon and the current neuropathological characterization of CTE is acknowledged as preliminary. Additionally, few studies have compared the pathologies of CTE with those of other neurodegenerative disorders or of age-matched controls. Consequently, disagreement continues about the neuropathological aspects that make CTE unique. Furthermore, CTE is widely considered to be a consequence of exposure to repeated head blows, but evidence suggests that a single moderate or severe traumatic brain injury can also induce progressive neuropathological changes. These unresolved aspects of CTE underlie disparate claims about its clinical and pathological features, leading to confusion among the public and health-care professionals alike.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The authors’ work is supported by funding from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health under award number R01NS092398, R01NS094003 and R01NS038104.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Stewart, Dr William
Authors: Smith, D. H., Johnson, V. E., Trojanowski, J. Q., and Stewart, W.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Journal Name:Nature Reviews Neurology
Publisher:Nature Publishing Group
ISSN:1759-4758
ISSN (Online):1759-4766
Published Online:21 January 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 Springer Nature Publishing
First Published:First published in Nature Reviews Neurology 15:179-183
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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