Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in Sports Practice: A Literature Review

Abstract

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative syndrome caused by repetitive and cumulative head trauma. Due to the widespread practice of contact and collision sports, a discussion of the long-term repercussions of repeated head trauma is imperative. The present literature review, performed through the SciELO, PUBMED, and BVS-Bireme databases, includes studies conducted since the year 2000, which established the relationship between CTE and the practice of sports. The diagnosis of CTE was notably present in individuals practicing sports that involve repeated traumatic brain injuries. The noticeable changes triggered by CTE include a series of clinical and neuropathological manifestations that can help in the differentiation from other tauopathies.

Resumo

A encefalopatia traumática crônica (ETC) é uma síndrome neurodegenerativa causada por traumatismo craniano repetitivo e cumulativo. Com a prática disseminada de esportes de contato, torna-se importante discutir as repercussões a longo prazo de traumatismos cranianos repetidos. A presente revisão da literatura, executada através das bases de dados SciELO, PUBMED e BVS-Bireme, inclui estudos realizados desde o ano de 2000 que estabeleceram a relação entre a ETC e a prática de esportes. O diagnóstico de ETC esteve notadamente presente em indivíduos praticantes de esportes que envolvem repetidas lesões cerebrais traumáticas. As alterações perceptíveis desencadeadas pela ETC incluem uma série de manifestações clínicas e neuropatológicas, que podem auxiliar na diferenciação de outras tauopatias.

Keywords

traumatic brain injuries - brain concussion - chronic traumatic encephalopathy - tauopathies

Palavras-chave

lesões cerebrais traumáticas - concussão cerebral - encefalopatia traumática crônica - tauopatias

Publication History

Received: 05 June 2021

Accepted: 25 April 2022

Article published online:
07 July 2022

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