Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, is a disease that degenerates the brain spanning over years or decades. The disease often occurs to athletes involved in contact sports such as boxers and football players, caused by frequent and vicious blows to the head. As a result, over time the brain can accumulate an unnaturally large amount of a protein called tau, and the brain tissue deteriorates, losing significant amounts of mass. Victims of CTE can experience depression, aggression, unpredictable behavior and memory loss, among many other mental disturbances. While many studies have proven that the disease can stem from football, the National Football League has been in denial for decades. Just recently a top NFL official admitted to a connection between the sport and disease, but there is still a struggle to spread awareness about the potential risks of football.