Microtubules in the brain are particularly helpful in defining the ends of neurons: the axon and dendrites. They are sometimes referred to as a neuron’s special transportation system, helping ensure messages make it across the entire axon. After numerous concussions and hits to the head, the microtubules begin to tear and unravel the protective tau protein. The freely-floating proteins attach and impair surrounding cells and eventually kill them. The roaming tau protein stains brain tissue along the way, which helps doctors reach a CTE diagnosis after death. The darker the discoloration is, the more severe the CTE was. The process is slow, which is why it can take time for the disease to develop. The only upside to tau’s slow progression is that the time frame can give doctors time to interfere before it reaches a deadly amount of cells. As previously mentioned, researchers are working towards diagnostic biomarkers for the brain, but have already found a sensitive biomarker that can be tested in the blood. The biochemical test can detect indicators that would normally be blocked by the blood-brain barrier, but the repetitive head trauma that causes CTE damages this barrier and allows indicators to slip into the bloodstream. Dr.Ann Mckee of Boston University conducted a study of the brains of former football players. Out of the 111 donated brains from deceased NFL players, 110 showed the signs of CTE. Some players showed strong symptoms of CTE such as depression and mood impairments when alive, but only had mild CTE pathology in their brains. This could mean that there are more parts of the brain that need to be examined in order to fulfill a complete diagnosis. 

Created in 2010, the Guardian Cap is an affordable and easily-attachable extra layer of protection for football practices. The creators first pitched it as a complete helmet but were denied by football executives. Their focus then shifted to youth football at the high school and collegiate levels. After being worn practices by teams like Clemson and winning the NFL HeadHealthTECH challenge, it started to gain more popularity. Some NFL teams began to wear them during practices while lab data was being collected. The science behind it is heavily based on physics. The soft layer works as a barrier between the force of the hit and the one that is applied to the actual helmet. The soft padding of the cap reduces the force applied to the helmet, which lowers the force on one's head. After it was determined that there was a significant increase in helmet safety when Guardian Caps were worn, the NFL mandated the usage for all offensive and defensive linemen, tight ends, and linebackers for training camp. With this padding, players can feel safer when running drills and routes with their team.