Concussions Not the Cause of CTE
As you may already know, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools' Psychological Services Department has a group of 7 psychologists that are NC DPI Approved Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) providers. We're in the business of identifying and supporting brain injuries, as well as raising awareness. March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and we hope to provide continued information on this topic throughout the month.
Chronic Trauma Encephalopathy, also known as CTE, has become more widely studied and discussed in the sports world recently. In this article from CNN, a study by Dr. Lee Goldstein found that CTE is not actually the result of concussions, but is instead trauma resulting from exposure to multiple head impacts over time. Not all hits to the head result in concussions and it seems that people only pay attention when a concussion has actually been sustained. However, Dr. Goldstein's study revealed that characteristics associated with CTE could be seen even without experiencing a concussion. Changes to the brain that may be associated with CTE could be seen as soon as 24 hours after injury. This means that the "neurodegenerative disease (CTE) can start early and without any signs of concussion."
Currently, CTE is diagnosed with an autopsy after death, but researchers are working to find indicators to help detect it in the living, which will hopefully lead to potential treatments. Dr. Goldstein has joined other researchers and former players to launch the Concussion Legacy Foundation's Flag Football Under 14 Initiative to inform parents about the dangers of football's repetitive hits. This initiative reminds us that "you can play football differently" and that "there are all sorts of ways to do it more safely."
Chronic Trauma Encephalopathy, also known as CTE, has become more widely studied and discussed in the sports world recently. In this article from CNN, a study by Dr. Lee Goldstein found that CTE is not actually the result of concussions, but is instead trauma resulting from exposure to multiple head impacts over time. Not all hits to the head result in concussions and it seems that people only pay attention when a concussion has actually been sustained. However, Dr. Goldstein's study revealed that characteristics associated with CTE could be seen even without experiencing a concussion. Changes to the brain that may be associated with CTE could be seen as soon as 24 hours after injury. This means that the "neurodegenerative disease (CTE) can start early and without any signs of concussion."
Currently, CTE is diagnosed with an autopsy after death, but researchers are working to find indicators to help detect it in the living, which will hopefully lead to potential treatments. Dr. Goldstein has joined other researchers and former players to launch the Concussion Legacy Foundation's Flag Football Under 14 Initiative to inform parents about the dangers of football's repetitive hits. This initiative reminds us that "you can play football differently" and that "there are all sorts of ways to do it more safely."
Comments
Post a Comment