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Carroll J, McCann H, Halliday GM, Kwok JB, Dobson-Stone C, Shepherd CE. Poly-GA immunohistochemistry is a reliable tool for detecting C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansions. Brain Pathol 2024; 34:e13216. [PMID: 37816685 PMCID: PMC11328337 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly-GA immunohistochemistry (A) on formalin fixed paraffin embedded cerebellum sections shows a similar distribution to p62 antibody (B) and reliably identifies neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions and neurites in cases with known C9orf72 repeat expansion. This is useful in the research setting where genetic testing has not been performed in life or suitable tissue is not avilable post-mortem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Carroll
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Heather McCann
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Glenda M Halliday
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney Brain and Mind Centre, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John B Kwok
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney Brain and Mind Centre, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Carol Dobson-Stone
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney Brain and Mind Centre, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Claire E Shepherd
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
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Blanks W, Hanshaw M, Perez-Chadid DA, Lucke-Wold B. Emerging frontiers in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: early diagnosis and implications for neurotherapeutic interventions. Expert Rev Neurother 2024:1-9. [PMID: 39118236 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2024.2385952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with repetitive head trauma. Historically, the diagnosis has been primarily clinical, which has hindered definitive early diagnosis and proactive intervention. AREAS COVERED The authors analyze the recent advancements in early diagnosis of CTE by examining biomarkers, imaging, and clinical decision tools. They discuss the identification of neuropathologies - such as tau aggregates - through novel techniques ranging from blood sampling and to brain density scanning. The reader will walk away with a better understanding of current advancements in early detection and be better equipped to deal with encephalopathies secondary to trauma in clinical practice. EXPERT OPINION Tremendous progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of CTE. Despite these advancements, CTE treatment is still primarily symptomatic rather than underlying disease. Future research should focus on integrating current understanding of CTE pathophysiology with treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Blanks
- School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, USA
| | - Marcus Hanshaw
- School of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
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Taghdiri F, Khodadadi M, Sadia N, Mushtaque A, Scott OFT, Hirsch‐Reinhagen V, Tator C, Wennberg R, Kovacs GG, Tartaglia MC. Unusual combinations of neurodegenerative pathologies with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) complicates clinical prediction of CTE. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16259. [PMID: 38404144 PMCID: PMC11235773 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has gained widespread attention due to its association with multiple concussions and contact sports. However, CTE remains a postmortem diagnosis, and the link between clinical symptoms and CTE pathology is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the presence of copathologies and their impact on symptoms in former contact sports athletes. METHODS This was a retrospective case series design of 12 consecutive cases of former contact sports athletes referred for autopsy. Analyses are descriptive and include clinical history as well as the pathological findings of the autopsied brains. RESULTS All participants had a history of multiple concussions, and all but one had documented progressive cognitive, psychiatric, and/or motor symptoms. The results showed that 11 of the 12 participants had evidence of CTE in the brain, but also other copathologies, including different combinations of tauopathies, and other rare entities. CONCLUSIONS The heterogeneity of symptoms after repetitive head injuries and the diverse pathological combinations accompanying CTE complicate the prediction of CTE in clinical practice. It is prudent to consider the possibility of multiple copathologies when clinically assessing patients with repetitive head injuries, especially as they age, and attributing neurological or cognitive symptoms solely to presumptive CTE in elderly patients should be discouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Foad Taghdiri
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative DiseaseUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Mozhgan Khodadadi
- Canadian Concussion CentreKrembil Brain Institute, University Health NetworkTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Nusrat Sadia
- Canadian Concussion CentreKrembil Brain Institute, University Health NetworkTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Asma Mushtaque
- Canadian Concussion CentreKrembil Brain Institute, University Health NetworkTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Olivia F. T. Scott
- Canadian Concussion CentreKrembil Brain Institute, University Health NetworkTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Veronica Hirsch‐Reinhagen
- Division of NeuropathologyVancouver General HospitalVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Charles Tator
- Canadian Concussion CentreKrembil Brain Institute, University Health NetworkTorontoOntarioCanada
- Krembil Brain InstituteUniversity Health NetworkTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Richard Wennberg
- Canadian Concussion CentreKrembil Brain Institute, University Health NetworkTorontoOntarioCanada
- Krembil Brain InstituteUniversity Health NetworkTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Gabor G. Kovacs
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative DiseaseUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Canadian Concussion CentreKrembil Brain Institute, University Health NetworkTorontoOntarioCanada
- Krembil Brain InstituteUniversity Health NetworkTorontoOntarioCanada
- Laboratory Medicine ProgramUniversity Health NetworkTorontoOntarioCanada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and PathobiologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease and the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders ClinicToronto Western HospitalTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - M. Carmela Tartaglia
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative DiseaseUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Canadian Concussion CentreKrembil Brain Institute, University Health NetworkTorontoOntarioCanada
- Krembil Brain InstituteUniversity Health NetworkTorontoOntarioCanada
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Shepherd CE, McCann H, McLean CA, Iverson GL, Gardner AJ. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathologic change in former Australian rugby players. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2024; 50:e12972. [PMID: 38502287 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
AIMS We applied the 2021 consensus criteria for both chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathological change and traumatic encephalopathy syndrome in a small case series of six former elite-level Australian rugby code players. METHODS Neuropathological assessment of these cases was carried out at the Sydney and Victorian Brain Banks. Clinical data were collected via clinical interviews and health questionnaires completed by the participants and/or their next of kin, and neuropsychological testing was conducted with participants who were capable of completing this testing. RESULTS All cases exhibited progressive cognitive impairment during life. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathological change was identified in four out of the six cases. However, coexisting neuropathologies were common, with limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy and ageing-related tau astrogliopathy seen in all cases, intermediate or high Alzheimer's disease neuropathological change seen in four cases and hippocampal sclerosis seen in two of the six cases. CONCLUSION The presence of multiple neuropathologies in these cases complicates clinical diagnostic efforts for traumatic encephalopathy syndrome. It will be important for further clinicopathological studies on larger groups to report all neuropathological comorbidities found in cases diagnosed with either chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathological change and/or traumatic encephalopathy syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Shepherd
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Heather McCann
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Catriona A McLean
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Grant L Iverson
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Schoen Adams Research Institute at Spaulding Rehabilitation, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Home Base, A Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Mass General for Children Sports Concussion Program, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrew J Gardner
- Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
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Taskina D, Zhu C, Schwab N, Hazrati LN. Brain pathology and symptoms linked to concussion history: beyond chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcad314. [PMID: 38560515 PMCID: PMC10977958 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Repeated head trauma acquired through sports injuries has been associated with the development of long-term disabling symptoms that negatively impact the quality of life. In this retrospective case series, 52 male former professional athletes involved in contact sports and with a history of multiple concussions were evaluated for chronic clinical symptoms and post-mortem neuropathological diagnoses. The clinical symptoms of 19 cases were examined in greater detail for symptom type, severity and duration. Information on neurological, psychiatric and physical symptoms, substance use profiles and concussion histories was obtained from the athletes' next of kin and assessed in relation to post-mortem neuropathological diagnoses. Cases were categorized into three different neuropathological groups: no major neuropathological findings, the presence of only chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and the diagnosis(es) of other neurodegenerative diseases. Age at death and the presence of DNA damage in the post-mortem brains were analysed for correlation with the clinical symptoms. In this case series, 14/52 (26.9%) cases (mean age 48.2 ± 11.4) had neuropathological evidence of low-stage/low-burden CTE. A total of 11/52 (21.2%) cases (mean age 38.7 ± 12.7) presented a similar profile and severity of behavioural symptoms to those with CTE, despite the lack of significant post-mortem neuropathological findings. A total of 27/52 (51.9%) cases (mean age 75.5 ± 8.7) presented with complex post-mortem neurodegenerative diagnoses, including Alzheimer's disease and other mixed pathologies, and clinical symptoms associated with language, memory and sensory dysfunction. The presence of DNA damage in the brain was found in all neuropathological groups, predominantly in the ependymal lining of ventricles, and phosphorylated histone H2AX staining was correlated with higher age at death (r = 0.59) and symptoms of language dysfunction (r = 0.56). Findings from our case series suggest that post-concussive symptoms are not driven by CTE. Our findings show that proteinopathies alone may not account for the complexity of the clinical manifestations and suggest the possibility of other drivers, such as DNA damage, as potentially useful markers of brain trauma. Broadening the search for biological markers that reflect the effects of brain injury, even when proteinopathy is not observed, and taking a symptom-driven approach are therefore advised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Taskina
- Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Cherrie Zhu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Nicole Schwab
- Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Lili-Naz Hazrati
- Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
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Agrawal S, Leurgans SE, Barnes LL, Dams-O’Connor K, Mez J, Bennett DA, Schneider JA. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy and aging-related tau astrogliopathy in community-dwelling older persons with and without moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2024; 83:181-193. [PMID: 38300796 PMCID: PMC10880068 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
This study examined the frequency of chronic traumatic encephalopathy-neuropathologic change (CTE-NC) and aging-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG) in community-dwelling older adults and tested the hypothesis that these tau pathologies are associated with a history of moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (msTBI), defined as a TBI with loss of consciousness >30 minutes. We evaluated CTE-NC, ARTAG, and Alzheimer disease pathologies in 94 participants with msTBI and 94 participants without TBI matched by age, sex, education, and dementia status TBI from the Rush community-based cohorts. Six (3%) of brains showed the pathognomonic lesion of CTE-NC; only 3 of these had a history of msTBI. In contrast, ARTAG was common in older brains (gray matter ARTAG = 77%; white matter ARTAG = 54%; subpial ARTAG = 51%); there were no differences in severity, type, or distribution of ARTAG pathology with respect to history of msTBI. Furthermore, those with msTBI did not have higher levels of PHF-tau tangles density but had higher levels of amyloid-β load (Estimate = 0.339, SE = 0.164, p = 0.040). These findings suggest that CTE-NC is infrequent while ARTAG is common in the community and that both pathologies are unrelated to msTBI. The association of msTBI with amyloid-β, rather than with tauopathies suggests differential mechanisms of neurodegeneration in msTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonal Agrawal
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Pathology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Sue E Leurgans
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Lisa L Barnes
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Kristen Dams-O’Connor
- Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Mt Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Neurology, Mt Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jesse Mez
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Julie A Schneider
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Pathology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Del Bigio MR, Krawitz S, Sinha N. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy-neuropathologic change in a routine neuropathology service: 7-year follow-up. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2023; 82:948-957. [PMID: 37846159 PMCID: PMC10588000 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlad079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
To follow our 2016 study of chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathologic change (CTE-NC) in our forensic autopsy service, we prospectively screened all cases with clinical histories of multiple concussions, persistent post-head injury symptoms, or ≥3 hospital investigations for head injuries from 2016 to 2022 inclusive using hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) immunostaining. The cases had routine brain sampling plus 4-6 additional lateral hemisphere samples. When "pathognomonic" CTE-NC lesions were identified, additional p-tau immunostaining was done for CTE-NC staging. Of ∼1100 adult brains aged 18-65 years examined, 85 were screened, and 16 were positive for CTE-NC (2 women, 14 men, ages 35-61 years, median 47 years). Alcohol abuse was documented in 14 of 16 (8 in combination with other substances); 5 had developmental brain anomalies (2 presumed genetic, 3 from acquired perinatal insults). Widespread p-tau deposits (high CTE-NC) were found in 7 of 16. Old brain contusions were present in 9 of 16, but CTE-NC did not colocalize. Of particular interest were (1) a man with FGFR3 mutation/hypochondroplasia and life-long head banging, (2) a woman with cerebral palsy and life-long head banging, and (3) a man with bilateral peri-Sylvian polymicrogyria, alcohol abuse, and multiple head injuries. Thus, CTE-NC occurs in association with repeated head trauma outside contact sports. Substance abuse is a common determinant of risk behavior. The utility of diagnosing mild-/low-stage CTE-NC in this population remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc R Del Bigio
- Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba & Shared Health Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Sherry Krawitz
- Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba & Shared Health Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Namita Sinha
- Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba & Shared Health Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Smolen P, Dash PK, Redell JB. Traumatic brain injury-associated epigenetic changes and the risk for neurodegenerative diseases. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1259405. [PMID: 37795186 PMCID: PMC10546067 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1259405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown that traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases the risk for developing neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). However, molecular mechanisms that underlie this risk are largely unidentified. TBI triggers widespread epigenetic modifications. Similarly, NDs such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's are associated with numerous epigenetic changes. Although epigenetic changes can persist after TBI, it is unresolved if these modifications increase the risk of later ND development and/or dementia. We briefly review TBI-related epigenetic changes, and point out putative feedback loops that might contribute to long-term persistence of some modifications. We then focus on evidence suggesting persistent TBI-associated epigenetic changes may contribute to pathological processes (e.g., neuroinflammation) which may facilitate the development of specific NDs - Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Finally, we discuss possible directions for TBI therapies that may help prevent or delay development of NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Smolen
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
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9
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Iverson GL, Jamshidi P, Fisher-Hubbard AO, Deep-Soboslay A, Hyde TM, Kleinman JE, deJong JL, Shepherd CE, Hazrati LN, Castellani RJ. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathologic change is uncommon in men who played amateur American football. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1143882. [PMID: 37404944 PMCID: PMC10315537 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1143882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction We examined postmortem brain tissue from men, over the age of 50, for chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathologic change (CTE-NC). We hypothesized that (i) a small percentage would have CTE-NC, (ii) those who played American football during their youth would be more likely to have CTE-NC than those who did not play contact or collision sports, and (iii) there would be no association between CTE-NC and suicide as a manner of death. Methods Brain tissue from 186 men and accompanying clinical information were obtained from the Lieber Institute for Brain Development. Manner of death was determined by a board-certified forensic pathologist. Information was obtained from next of kin telephone interviews, including medical, social, demographic, family, and psychiatric history. The 2016 and 2021 consensus definitions were used for CTE-NC. Two authors screened all cases, using liberal criteria for identifying "possible" CTE-NC, and five authors examined the 15 selected cases. Results The median age at the time of death was 65 years (interquartile range = 57-75; range = 50-96). There were 25.8% with a history of playing American football and 36.0% who had suicide as their manner of death. No case was rated as definitively having "features" of CTE-NC by all five authors. Ten cases were rated as having features of CTE-NC by three or more authors (5.4% of the sample), including 8.3% of those with a personal history of playing American football and 3.9% of those who did not play contact or collision sports. Of those with mood disorders during life, 5.5% had features of CTE-NC compared to 6.0% of those who did not have a reported mood disorder. Of those with suicide as a manner of death, 6.0% had features of CTE-NC compared to 5.0% of those who did not have suicide as a manner of death. Discussion We did not identify a single definitive case of CTE-NC, from the perspective of all raters, and only 5.4% of cases were identified as having possible features of CTE-NC by some raters. CTE-NC was very uncommon in men who played amateur American football, those with mood disorders during life, and those with suicide as a manner of death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant L. Iverson
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Schoen Adams Research Institute at Spaulding Rehabilitation, Charlestown, MA, United States
- MassGeneral Hospital for Children Sports Concussion Program, Boston, MA, United States
- Home Base, A Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Pouya Jamshidi
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Amanda O. Fisher-Hubbard
- Department of Pathology, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Amy Deep-Soboslay
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Thomas M. Hyde
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Joel E. Kleinman
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Joyce L. deJong
- Department of Pathology, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Claire E. Shepherd
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Lili-Naz Hazrati
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rudolph J. Castellani
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
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Butler T. Letter to the Editor: Intense Exercise and Associated Blood-Brain Barrier Leakiness and Systemic Inflammation at the Time of Brain Injury May Be Relevant to Understanding Why Only Sports-Related Concussions Are Associated With Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. J Neurotrauma 2023; 40:1255-1256. [PMID: 36534765 PMCID: PMC10259602 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2022.0505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Butler
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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11
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Iverson GL, Castellani RJ, Cassidy JD, Schneider GM, Schneider KJ, Echemendia RJ, Bailes JE, Hayden KA, Koerte IK, Manley GT, McNamee M, Patricios JS, Tator CH, Cantu RC, Dvorak J. Examining later-in-life health risks associated with sport-related concussion and repetitive head impacts: a systematic review of case-control and cohort studies. Br J Sports Med 2023; 57:810-821. [PMID: 37316187 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-106890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Concern exists about possible problems with later-in-life brain health, such as cognitive impairment, mental health problems and neurological diseases, in former athletes. We examined the future risk for adverse health effects associated with sport-related concussion, or exposure to repetitive head impacts, in former athletes. DESIGN Systematic review. DATA SOURCES Search of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL Plus and SPORTDiscus in October 2019 and updated in March 2022. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Studies measuring future risk (cohort studies) or approximating that risk (case-control studies). RESULTS Ten studies of former amateur athletes and 18 studies of former professional athletes were included. No postmortem neuropathology studies or neuroimaging studies met criteria for inclusion. Depression was examined in five studies in former amateur athletes, none identifying an increased risk. Nine studies examined suicidality or suicide as a manner of death, and none found an association with increased risk. Some studies comparing professional athletes with the general population reported associations between sports participation and dementia or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as a cause of death. Most did not control for potential confounding factors (eg, genetic, demographic, health-related or environmental), were ecological in design and had high risk of bias. CONCLUSION Evidence does not support an increased risk of mental health or neurological diseases in former amateur athletes with exposure to repetitive head impacts. Some studies in former professional athletes suggest an increased risk of neurological disorders such as ALS and dementia; these findings need to be confirmed in higher quality studies with better control of confounding factors. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42022159486.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant L Iverson
- Sports Concussion Program, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Schoen Adams Research Institute at Spaulding Rehabilitation, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Home Base, A Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rudolph J Castellani
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - J David Cassidy
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Geoff M Schneider
- Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kathryn J Schneider
- Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ruben J Echemendia
- Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
- University Orthopedic Centre, Concussion Care Clinic, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Julian E Bailes
- Department of Neurosurgery, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - K Alix Hayden
- Libraries and Cultural Resources, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Inga K Koerte
- cBRAIN, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic, and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Mass General Brigham, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Geoffrey T Manley
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Michael McNamee
- Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Jon S Patricios
- Wits Sport and Health (WiSH), School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Charles H Tator
- Department of Surgery and Division of Neurosurgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Canadian Concussion Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert C Cantu
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Robert C. Cantu Concussion Center, Emerson Hospital, Concord, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jiri Dvorak
- Schulthess Clinic Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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12
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McKee AC, Stein TD, Huber BR, Crary JF, Bieniek K, Dickson D, Alvarez VE, Cherry JD, Farrell K, Butler M, Uretsky M, Abdolmohammadi B, Alosco ML, Tripodis Y, Mez J, Daneshvar DH. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE): criteria for neuropathological diagnosis and relationship to repetitive head impacts. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 145:371-394. [PMID: 36759368 PMCID: PMC10020327 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02540-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Over the last 17 years, there has been a remarkable increase in scientific research concerning chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Since the publication of NINDS-NIBIB criteria for the neuropathological diagnosis of CTE in 2016, and diagnostic refinements in 2021, hundreds of contact sport athletes and others have been diagnosed at postmortem examination with CTE. CTE has been reported in amateur and professional athletes, including a bull rider, boxers, wrestlers, and American, Canadian, and Australian rules football, rugby union, rugby league, soccer, and ice hockey players. The pathology of CTE is unique, characterized by a pathognomonic lesion consisting of a perivascular accumulation of neuronal phosphorylated tau (p-tau) variably alongside astrocytic aggregates at the depths of the cortical sulci, and a distinctive molecular structural configuration of p-tau fibrils that is unlike the changes observed with aging, Alzheimer's disease, or any other tauopathy. Computational 3-D and finite element models predict the perivascular and sulcal location of p-tau pathology as these brain regions undergo the greatest mechanical deformation during head impact injury. Presently, CTE can be definitively diagnosed only by postmortem neuropathological examination; the corresponding clinical condition is known as traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES). Over 97% of CTE cases published have been reported in individuals with known exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI), including concussions and nonconcussive impacts, most often experienced through participation in contact sports. While some suggest there is uncertainty whether a causal relationship exists between RHI and CTE, the preponderance of the evidence suggests a high likelihood of a causal relationship, a conclusion that is strengthened by the absence of any evidence for plausible alternative hypotheses. There is a robust dose-response relationship between CTE and years of American football play, a relationship that remains consistent even when rigorously accounting for selection bias. Furthermore, a recent study suggests that selection bias underestimates the observed risk. Here, we present the advances in the neuropathological diagnosis of CTE culminating with the development of the NINDS-NIBIB criteria, the multiple international studies that have used these criteria to report CTE in hundreds of contact sports players and others, and the evidence for a robust dose-response relationship between RHI and CTE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann C McKee
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA.
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA.
| | - Thor D Stein
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Bertrand R Huber
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John F Crary
- Departments of Pathology, Neuroscience, and Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Neuropathology Brain Bank and Research Core, Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin Bieniek
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Dennis Dickson
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Victor E Alvarez
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan D Cherry
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kurt Farrell
- Departments of Pathology, Neuroscience, and Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Neuropathology Brain Bank and Research Core, Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Morgane Butler
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - Madeline Uretsky
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - Bobak Abdolmohammadi
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - Michael L Alosco
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jesse Mez
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel H Daneshvar
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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