Home / Health / Shooter's Note Cites Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in Manhattan Attack
Shooter's Note Cites Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in Manhattan Attack
29 Jul
Summary
- Shooter left note referencing CTE, a brain disease linked to head trauma
- Authorities believe shooter was focused on an NFL agency in the building
- CTE symptoms include memory loss, depression, and erratic behavior
Last week, a tragic shooting occurred in a Manhattan office building, leaving four people dead. The suspected shooter, 27-year-old Shane Tamura, left a note referencing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease associated with repeated head trauma.
CTE is a condition marked by the accumulation of an abnormal protein called tau in the brain. It is commonly linked to contact sports like football and boxing, and can lead to symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, depression, and impulsive behavior. While the exact cause of Tamura's actions is still under investigation, authorities say they had "reason to believe that he was focused on the NFL agency that was located in the building."
The discovery of CTE in former athletes has prompted increased research and awareness around the condition in recent years. However, many aspects of CTE, from its causes to potential treatments, remain the subject of ongoing debate among medical experts.