A top 10 breakdown of established and emerging frontiers in chronic traumatic encephalopathy research

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHIs) that can currently only be diagnosed by neuropathological examination. Recent advancements in the field of CTE research have identified actionable knowledge gaps that pertain to the disease's pathophysiology, clinical expression and in vivo detection. This review provides a structured "Top 10″ overview of established findings and emerging frontiers in CTE research. We summarize the neuropathological diagnosis of CTE, RHI as a risk factor, factors influencing susceptibility, co-occurring pathologies and clinical expression. We review current approaches to in vivo detection, including neuroimaging and fluid biomarkers, noting their applications and limitations, particularly with respect to disease specificity. By integrating findings across neuropathology, risk factors, clinical expression and biomarker development, we aim to clarify where the field stands and identify priorities for future research.