Here’s a breakdown of the key points from the provided text:
Regarding CTE Diagnosis adn its Link to Behavior:
Timeframe for Diagnosis: It can take 2-6 months for scientists to determine if someone had CTE, but this requires family permission.
CTE and Criminal Behavior: Experts like Nowinski emphasize that CTE does not mean brain disease causes people to commit crimes. Most people with CTE are not murderers or have severe psychiatric symptoms leading to involuntary holds.
Other Brain Damage: Even without CTE, other forms of brain damage (at least 15 identified) associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and repetitive TBI can effect behavior. These non-CTE changes might be more profound in younger individuals.
CTE Stages and symptoms: Stage 1 CTE with minor lesions makes it difficult to interpret behavioral effects. Though, Stage 3 CTE, as seen in Aaron Hernandez, indicates significant impairment, and individuals are likely not the same as they were at a younger age.
Disease Progression: CTE starts with small lesions in the prefrontal cortex and brain stem, leading to a chain reaction of brain cell death that can continue even after impacts stop.
Focus on Youth and high school Football:
High School Athletes Need More Study: Daneshvar argues that high school athletes warrant greater study and treatment because they represent over 96% of football players in the US.
Higher Numbers, Lower Risk (Possibly): While high school players might be at lower risk due to playing fewer years, thier sheer numbers make them a significant group to consider.
Aaron Hernandez Case:
example of severe CTE: Aaron Hernandez, an NFL player, is cited as a well-known case of a young football player with severe CTE.
diagnosis: His brain was studied after his death at age 27, and he was diagnosed with CTE Stage 3, attributed to repeated head trauma.
CTE diagnosis Process:
Complex Examination: Diagnosing CTE is complex and involves examining over 20 brain regions. Steps: The process includes preserving the brain, examining it for atrophy or contusions, slicing it thinly, and staining sections to make abnormal proteins visible.
Treatment and Outlook:
No Current Cure: There is currently no treatment for CTE.
Symptom Management: Though, daneshvar points out that symptoms associated with CTE pathology can be identified and treated, leading to improvement. For example,depression can be managed with medication and interventions.
legislative Action:
California Bill: As another high school football season approaches, California legislators are proposing Assembly Bill 708. (The text cuts off before detailing the bill’s content).
