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Dr. Bennet Omalu details the correlation between concussions, blows to the head, and brain damage.
CTE
CTE
In the case of CTE, repeated brain trauma triggers gradual degeneration of the brain tissue, causing a buildup of the tau protein. The symptoms of CTE include
- memory loss
- confusion
- depression
- aggression
- impaired judgement
- anxiety
- parkinsonism
- and eventually dementia.
Since these symptoms may appear years, or even decades, after the latest brain trauma, some may confuse CTE symptoms with Post-Concussion Syndrome.
Correlation Between Concussions and CTE
Correlation Between Concussions and CTE
It is important to note that concussions aren't necessarily the cause of CTE, which can even result with excessive, subconcussive head hits over a long period of time. Concussions do, however, increase the chance of being diagnosed with CTE. Many athletes suffering from CTE have committed suicide or lead tragic ends to their lives. With symptoms such as dementia, memory loss, depression, and anxiety being the most common between these athletes, suicide appears to be the only way out. Therefore, the concussions that football players experience may not only lead them to CTE, but also to suicide and self-destructive pathways.
Concussions and Post-Concussion Syndrome
Concussions and Post-Concussion Syndrome
In the immediate aftermath of a concussion, a variety of symptoms will appear:
- clumsiness
- forgetfulness
- confusion
- behavioral or personality change.
In the short-term after a concussion, many of the symptoms will subside with proper treatment, the most common being
- headaches
- nausea
- sensitivity to light and noise
- and decreased concentration and memory
With proper treatment (rest, preventing re-injury, limiting exposure to drugs, etc.), a concussion recovery can take a couple of weeks. If two months after a concussion have passed and the symptoms have yet to disappear, the victim of the traumatic brain injury is said to be diagnosed with Post-Concussion Syndrome, chronic symptoms of the recurrent injury.
A recent study took a sample of healthy athletes and compared them to athletes of the same age that suffered a concussion 30 years ago. Those who had experienced the head trauma had symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease, as well as memory and attention issues. Additional research found that the cortex, which is the part of the brain that is affected by Alzheimer's disease, had been thinned as a result of a concussion.
This video entails the life of Junior Seau, who was known for his time in the NFL as an aggressive player, and killed himself in 2012, for the suspected reason that he was suffering from CTE. After his death, his family donated his brain to science, and it was concluded that he had the disease. He was a 12 time pro-bowler, played 13 seasons for the San Diego Chargers, three for the Miami Dolphins, and his last four for the New England Patriots. While discussing the life of Seau, the video also entails multiple lawsuits which former players have filed over the NFL's lack of education to it's players as to the danger of the sport, and the effects that CTE can have on their lives, like how it effected Junior Seau.
Citations
YouTube, YouTube, 10 Jan. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs6wsPpM4IY.
Nordqvist, Joseph. “Concussions Cause Long-Term Effects Lasting Decades.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 9 June 2015, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/256518.php.
“HEADS UP.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 June 2017, www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_recovery.html.
“What Is PCS?” Concussion Legacy Foundation, Concussion Legacy Foundation, 26 Feb. 2018, concussionfoundation.org/PCS-resources/what-is-PCS.
“Frequently Asked Questions about CTE.” Boston Hospitality Review RSS, Boston University Research: CTE Center, www.bu.edu/cte/about/frequently-asked-questions/.
“What Is CTE?” Concussion Legacy Foundation, Concussion Legacy Foundation, 13 Apr. 2018, concussionfoundation.org/CTE-resources/what-is-CTE.
Boren, Cindy. “A New Study Shows That Hits to the Head, Not Concussions, Cause CTE.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 18 Jan. 2018, www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2018/01/18/a-new-study-shows-that-hits-to-the-head-not-concussions-cause-cte/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.c2db6fe3c958.
"Dr. Bennet Omalu on Concussions and Brain Damage." CBS News.<https://www.cbsnews.com/video/dr-bennet-omalu-on-concussions-and-brain-damage/>.
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