Chronic traumatic encephalopathy

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), formerly known as dementia pugilistica, is a neurodegenerative disease found in people who have had multiple head injuries. These injuries can be from contact sports such as American football or boxing, as well as from military service, domestic violence and other causes.

Symptoms may include behavioral problems, mood problems, and problems with thinking. It can also cause problems with balance, moving and speaking. This typically does not begin until years after the injuries. It often gets worse over time and can result in dementia. It is unclear if the risk of suicide is increased. Doctors can only tell for sure if somebody has CTE by looking at their brain after they die.

CTE was first diagnosed from former boxers. As "boxer" is pugil in Latin language, the illness got at first the name dementia pugilistica ("boxer's dementia"). It is assumed up to 20% (one in five) of former professional boxers may develop CTE in their later years. It is also common on ice hockey players, American football players, and association football players. There may be a connection with CTE and Lou Gehrig's disease, as both are neurodegenerative (that is: nerve destroying) illnesses.

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