It’s been more than 100 years since a forensic scientist named Harrison Martland coined the term “punch drunk syndrome” to describe boxers’ tendency to become slow, confused and trembly.
Today, the malady now known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy [ehn-seh-fuh-lah-puh-thee], or CTE, has been diagnosed in all types of athletes, including those who participated in football, rugby, soccer, ice hockey, bull-riding, wrestling, mixed-martial arts and boxing. Some athletic organizations still aren’t convinced their sports have any role in CTE.
There are now at least 600 cases of documented CTE, identified after families allowed scientists to study their loved ones’ brains postmortem.
Boston University researchers who specialize in the degenerative condition reviewed these cases and found that 97% of them had confirmed exposure to repeated head injury, mostly through contact sports.
Of 17 CTE cases where repeated head injury was not documented, the researchers found that in 14 instances, no one ever asked about the deceased’s history of injury.
CTE isn’t found only in those who suffered numerous concussions. Some cases may stem from repeated, minor blows to the head, researchers say. The disease is in its infancy in terms of how well it’s understood.
CTE has no cure. No test can tell if you’ve got it or will get it in the future.
So, wear your seat belt, don’t drive impaired and wear a quality, well-fitting bike or skateboard helmet. If you play contact sports, listen to what your own brain — and your doctor’s — tell you about how serious any injuries might be.
When it comes to protecting your brain, you don’t get a second chance.