What is the link between severe CTE and dementia?

Individuals with advanced CTE (stages III and IV) are 4.5 times more likely to develop dementia compared to those without CTE.

Can CTE cause dementia?

The Boston University CTE Center study provides compelling evidence suggesting that severe CTE can be a cause of dementia.

Is CTE-related dementia often misdiagnosed?

Yes, the study found that dementia due to CTE is frequently misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's disease.

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Severe CTE Linked to Dementia Risk

28 Jan

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Summary

Advanced CTE cases 4.5 times more likely to develop dementia.
Severe CTE stages III and IV showed worst cognitive symptoms.
CTE dementia often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's disease.

New research from the Boston University CTE Center provides compelling evidence connecting severe Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) to an increased risk of dementia. The study, the largest of its kind, analyzed over 600 brain donors and found that individuals with the most advanced stages of CTE (III and IV) were 4.5 times more likely to develop dementia during their lives.

These findings indicate that CTE should be recognized as a cause of dementia. Researchers noted that lower stages of CTE did not show a clear association with dementia, cognitive impairment, or functional decline. The study also highlighted that dementia resulting from CTE is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's disease, with a significant percentage of misdiagnoses occurring among donors.

The research, funded by the National Institute of Health, is crucial for understanding neurodegenerative diseases. Establishing a clear link between severe CTE and dementia symptoms moves scientists closer to developing methods for in-life detection and diagnosis, which is a critical unmet need in the medical community.