Management of chronic traumatic encephalopathy

Area of Science:

• Neuropathology
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Tauopathies

Background:

• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is characterized by hyperphosphorylated tau protein deposits in the brain's cortical sulci.
• Current diagnostic limitations prevent precise differentiation of CTE from other neurodegenerative conditions in living patients.
• No treatments exist for the underlying CTE disease process, only for symptom management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the history, pathology, and clinical diagnosis of CTE in living individuals.
• To discuss current non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments for CTE symptoms.
• To highlight the need for diagnostic biomarkers for CTE.

Main Methods:

• Literature review utilizing PubMed and standard databases.
• Inclusion of author's clinical experience managing patients at risk for CTE.
• Focus on diagnostic criteria and symptom management strategies.

Main Results:

• Discussion of diagnostic categories: unlikely, possible, or probable CTE in living patients.
• Overview of available treatments aimed at improving quality of life for CTE patients.
• Emphasis on the limitations of current diagnostic capabilities.

Conclusions:

• Accurate in-life diagnosis of CTE requires sensitive and specific biomarkers.
• Development of biomarkers is crucial for understanding CTE's incidence, prevalence, risk factors, and clinical features.
• Symptomatic treatments are the current standard of care for improving daily life in CTE patients.