Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a likely cause of severe depression and other behavioral issues in those with a history of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a progressive degenerative disease diagnosed postmortem and has been discovered as a primary contributing factor among many former NFL players who claimed to have suffered severe mental and psychological disturbances shortly before passing on or taking their own lives.
CTE triggers progressive degeneration of the brain tissue, including the build-up of an abnormal protein called tau. Patients who suffer from chronic trauma-related brain disease may develop symptom patterns in two distinct ways, either involving mood/behavioral disorders or by cognitive impairment.
Former Players Want in on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Testing
Up until recently, chronic traumatic encephalopathy could only be diagnosed via postmortem examination of the brain. However, “Outside the Lines” reported last week that researchers from UCLA and TauMark, a company established 10 months ago that purchased a license to the brain scan used to test for signs of CTE, said four former NFL stars had tested positive for signs of CTE. Ex-Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett was among those tested.
Now, the researchers have said that, to a certain degree, they can determine whether a living person has developed CTE. Since the findings, TauMark has been overwhelmed with requests from hundreds of former college and professional football players interested in undergoing testing. As a result, TauMark announced it is seeking expedited FDA approval of its test.
Bob Fitzsimmons is one of TauMark’s directors – he was also the attorney for Mike Webster, a Hall of Fame Center whose autopsy 11 years ago yielded the very first CTE diagnosis. He noted:
“We’re not advertising and not commercially open for business. We’re still in the study phase.”
Test is First of its Kind – Potentially Detects CTE Biomarkers in Live Subjects
TauMark has tested a total of nine former NFL players at a UCLA lab so far. All nine subjects were diagnosed with signs of CTE. About 12 additional ex-players, of whom all but three played in the NFL, are now being considered for the next group of about five athletes to undergo testing. According to Bill West, an attorney in Louisiana and TauMark, testing could begin as early as mid to late December.
Regarding the literal lineup of ex-players calling to request testing appointments, West said:
“We’re creating a database, and we should be commercially able to do it [conduct more tests] beginning in the first quarter of 2014.”
Other researchers working with UCLA were quick to back up Fitzsimmons’ disclaimer that their testing is still preliminary. However, they did admit to realizing some promising results up to this point. Preliminary test results rely on a medical examination and a neuropsychiatric evaluation, in addition to different types of brain scans, to reach a conclusive determination. One of the brain scans is a PET scan that utilizes a radioactive marker to detect abnormal concentrations of tau, a protein that damages brain cells in areas that control memory, emotions and other functions.
Prior to the UCLA work, tau deposits indicative of CTE could only be diagnosed posthumously. This was the case among over 50 deceased NFL players, including Webster and former All-Pro linebacker Junior Seau, who died by suicide last year.
References:
