CTE in Athletes: Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Repetitive Head Injuries
Introduction and PurposeChronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head injuries such as concussions and sub-concussive impacts [19]. Initially observed in retired boxers with behavioral and cognitive symptoms, it was called “punch-drunk synd...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Quality in Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60250 |
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| author | Weronika Sepioło Mikołaj Lewandoswki Zofia Kwiatkowska Wojciech Kurkiewicz Oskar Woźniak Jowita Mikulska Joanna Wąsik Kacper Gryboś Julia Kiełbratowska |
| author_facet | Weronika Sepioło Mikołaj Lewandoswki Zofia Kwiatkowska Wojciech Kurkiewicz Oskar Woźniak Jowita Mikulska Joanna Wąsik Kacper Gryboś Julia Kiełbratowska |
| author_sort | Weronika Sepioło |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction and PurposeChronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head injuries such as concussions and sub-concussive impacts [19]. Initially observed in retired boxers with behavioral and cognitive symptoms, it was called “punch-drunk syndrome” [3,9,16]. CTE is mostly found in athletes from contact sports (e.g., football, boxing, hockey, rugby) and in military personnel [1,3,9,13,19]. While most reported cases involve male athletes, anyone exposed to repetitive head injury (RHI) is at risk [2,10,13]. Due to increasing awareness of its long-term effects on brain health, CTE is now a critical topic in sports medicine, neurology, and public health.
Material and MethodsA literature review was conducted using PubMed, focusing on studies published up to the end of 2023. Keywords included: “CTE in athletes,” “repetitive head impacts,” “tau protein,” “encephalopathy,” and “CTE.” Studies were selected based on their focus on long-term effects of RHI, CTE pathology, and prevention strategies.
ResultsThe review highlights the connection between repeated brain trauma and CTE in athletes. Ongoing research aims to uncover its biological mechanisms and develop early diagnostic tools and targeted treatments. Long-term studies tracking athletes are vital for identifying causes and modifiable risk factors.
ConclusionsCTE illustrates the complex link between repeated head trauma and brain health decline. While progress has been made, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention remain difficult. Continued research and collaboration among clinicians, researchers, sports organizations, and policymakers are essential to reduce risks and protect athlete well-being.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ede400a1cb264e78956e88009430b8ce |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2450-3118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quality in Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-ede400a1cb264e78956e88009430b8ce2025-08-20T01:51:27ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-05-014110.12775/QS.2025.41.60250CTE in Athletes: Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Repetitive Head InjuriesWeronika Sepiołohttps://orcid.org/0009-0007-3060-5966Mikołaj Lewandoswkihttps://orcid.org/0009-0001-8533-0660Zofia Kwiatkowskahttps://orcid.org/0009-0002-4895-9002Wojciech Kurkiewiczhttps://orcid.org/0009-0000-0137-1311Oskar Woźniakhttps://orcid.org/0009-0006-1016-0720Jowita Mikulskahttps://orcid.org/0009-0004-4176-8195Joanna Wąsikhttps://orcid.org/0009-0004-9415-0508Kacper Grybośhttps://orcid.org/0009-0007-9598-8494Julia Kiełbratowskahttps://orcid.org/0009-0005-3328-5502Introduction and PurposeChronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head injuries such as concussions and sub-concussive impacts [19]. Initially observed in retired boxers with behavioral and cognitive symptoms, it was called “punch-drunk syndrome” [3,9,16]. CTE is mostly found in athletes from contact sports (e.g., football, boxing, hockey, rugby) and in military personnel [1,3,9,13,19]. While most reported cases involve male athletes, anyone exposed to repetitive head injury (RHI) is at risk [2,10,13]. Due to increasing awareness of its long-term effects on brain health, CTE is now a critical topic in sports medicine, neurology, and public health. Material and MethodsA literature review was conducted using PubMed, focusing on studies published up to the end of 2023. Keywords included: “CTE in athletes,” “repetitive head impacts,” “tau protein,” “encephalopathy,” and “CTE.” Studies were selected based on their focus on long-term effects of RHI, CTE pathology, and prevention strategies. ResultsThe review highlights the connection between repeated brain trauma and CTE in athletes. Ongoing research aims to uncover its biological mechanisms and develop early diagnostic tools and targeted treatments. Long-term studies tracking athletes are vital for identifying causes and modifiable risk factors. ConclusionsCTE illustrates the complex link between repeated head trauma and brain health decline. While progress has been made, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention remain difficult. Continued research and collaboration among clinicians, researchers, sports organizations, and policymakers are essential to reduce risks and protect athlete well-being. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60250CTE in athletesrepetitive head impactstau proteinencephalopathytraumatic brain injury |
| spellingShingle | Weronika Sepioło Mikołaj Lewandoswki Zofia Kwiatkowska Wojciech Kurkiewicz Oskar Woźniak Jowita Mikulska Joanna Wąsik Kacper Gryboś Julia Kiełbratowska CTE in Athletes: Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Repetitive Head Injuries Quality in Sport CTE in athletes repetitive head impacts tau protein encephalopathy traumatic brain injury |
| title | CTE in Athletes: Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Repetitive Head Injuries |
| title_full | CTE in Athletes: Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Repetitive Head Injuries |
| title_fullStr | CTE in Athletes: Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Repetitive Head Injuries |
| title_full_unstemmed | CTE in Athletes: Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Repetitive Head Injuries |
| title_short | CTE in Athletes: Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Repetitive Head Injuries |
| title_sort | cte in athletes understanding the long term effects of repetitive head injuries |
| topic | CTE in athletes repetitive head impacts tau protein encephalopathy traumatic brain injury |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60250 |
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