Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers | May 12, 2025 | Personal Injury

What Is CTE?

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain condition that is linked to repetitive head injuries. Although it is commonly associated with contact sports and military veterans, anyone exposed to ongoing head trauma may be at risk. CTE develops over time and can lead to serious cognitive, behavioral, and physical challenges.

How Does CTE Develop?

CTE is believed to be caused by repeated blows to the head. Each impact can cause microscopic damage to brain cells, which accumulates over many years of exposure. Over time, an abnormal buildup of tau protein forms around blood vessels in the brain, disrupting normal brain function and eventually causing nerve cell death.

Most cases of CTE have been found in individuals who play contact sports long-term. Military service members who experience blast injuries or repeated trauma are also at risk. Importantly, CTE is not linked to a single head injury, but rather cumulative trauma over time.

Recognizing The Symptoms Of CTE

CTE symptoms usually appear years or even decades after the head injuries occurred. Early signs often involve mood and behavior changes, while cognitive and physical symptoms may appear later. 

Possible symptoms include:

  • Memory loss
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Impulsive behavior
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Aggression 
  • Balance and coordination issues
  • Parkinsonism (tremors, slow movements, and speech difficulties)

Research has shown that CTE may present in two broad forms. In younger individuals, mood and behavior changes are often the first signs that show. In older adults, memory loss and cognitive issues, which can progress to dementia, are more common.

Who Is At Risk Of Developing CTE?

Anyone who was exposed to repetitive head trauma over an extended period of time may face a greater risk of developing CTE. High-risk individuals include:

  • Professional and amateur athletes in contact sports
  • Military veterans repetitively exposed to blasts or head injuries
  • Victims of physical abuse or repetitive accidents

It’s worth mentioning that not every person who experiences repeated head trauma will develop CTE. There are a variety of factors, such as age of exposure, total years of exposure, and an individual’s genetic makeup, that can play a role in determining risk.

How Is CTE Diagnosed?

Currently, CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death through a brain autopsy. While researchers are trying to develop tests that can identify the disease in a living organism, no validated test currently exists. In clinical settings, health care providers may diagnose “traumatic encephalopathy syndrome” if a patient is showing symptoms and has a history of repeated brain trauma.

Can CTE Be Prevented?

There is no cure for CTE, but prevention often focuses on reducing the risk of head injuries. Safety measures in sports, improvements in workplace safety, and receiving prompt medical care after a head injury are key steps in lowering risk. Some additional strategies may include: 

  • Wearing proper protective gear
  • Following concussion protocols in sports
  • Limiting exposure to high-impact activities
  • Seeing a doctor after any head injury

Reducing the number and severity of head injuries is the most effective protective measure that can be taken to limit the chances of developing long-term complications.

How CTE Connects To Personal Injury Cases

While CTE is often related to sports or military service, it can happen as a result of any type of repetitive head trauma, including car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and other personal injury situations. For example, a person who sustains multiple concussions in rear-end collisions over time could face heightened risks.

Understanding CTE’s potential role in personal injury claims can be important for those who are considering pursuing compensation for traumatic brain injuries. Victims often face long-term medical costs and life-altering impacts.

What Is Known About CTE

CTE remains a rare, complex, and evolving topic in medical research. Anyone concerned about recurring head injuries, whether from sports, work, or other accidents, should seek medical guidance and take proactive steps to protect their brain health. Early detection tools and better treatments will likely become available as research continues. For now, knowledge is power.

Contact the Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers at Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Today

For more information, contact the Atlanta personal injury law firm of Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation. We have convenient locations in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Lawrenceville, Mableton, Smyrna, and Roswell.

We serve Fulton County and its surrounding areas:

Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Atlanta
201 Joseph E Lowery Blvd NW Suite 312,
Atlanta, GA 30314
Open 24/7
(770) 900-9000

Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Sandy Springs
5555 Glenridge Con, Suite 975,
Sandy Springs, GA 30342
Open 24/7
(678) 990-7024

Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Lawrenceville
265 Culver St S. Suite A.
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Open 24/7
(678) 626-5067

Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Mableton
5701 Mableton Pkwy SW Suite 108,
Mableton, GA 30126
Open 24/7
(706) 480-5487

Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Smyrna
2400 Herodian Way Ste#220,
Smyrna, GA 30080
Open 24/7
(678) 922-4497

Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Roswell
110 Mansell Cir #111,
Roswell, GA 30075
Open 24/7
(678) 582-8466