The recent and tragic case of a former American football player has once again highlighted a harsh reality: high-impact sports can leave devastating consequences on the brain. As a neurologist, I have closely studied this condition, known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), and in my recent interview with Canela News, I emphasized the importance of understanding it. CTE is not an abstract risk—it is a real, progressive neurodegenerative disease with serious consequences.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is caused by the accumulation of repeated head trauma. As I explained, it is not exclusive to football; we also see it frequently in boxing. The problem is that each blow, even if it doesn’t cause a noticeable concussion, creates microscopic damage that accumulates. Over time, the brain of a young person—25 or 30 years old—can resemble that of an 80-year-old. What was once considered anecdotal is now scientifically proven through the study of the brains of deceased athletes.
The initial symptoms are often subtle and easy to overlook. They usually begin with personality changes, irritability, sleep disturbances, headaches, or a feeling of mental slowness and lack of initiative. However, the disease progresses. The person may lose impulse control, develop depression, and in more advanced stages, even paranoid thoughts. It is a gradual deterioration that affects judgment and leads many to self-medicate in an attempt to cope.
The key lies in prevention and early diagnosis.
It is crucial to understand that the risk begins in youth, often during high school athletic participation. The good news is that, if detected early, damage can be slowed by halting trauma exposure and starting intensive rehabilitation therapy to harness brain plasticity.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to repeated head injuries and begins noticing these changes, seeking a specialized neurological evaluation is the first step toward protecting long-term cognitive health.