On Monday, a gunman in midtown Manhattan took four lives before turning the weapon on himself, leaving behind a note that made several references to “CTE,” according to sources involved in the investigation who spoke to NBC News.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a brain condition typically resulting from recurrent head injuries over an extended period.
Officials indicated that the shooter specifically targeted the National Football League headquarters, where the incident occurred.
A report from 2024 highlights that CTE can only be definitively diagnosed post-mortem, yet around one-third of former NFL players believe they may be affected. The NFL acknowledged the connection between CTE and football in 2016.
Former NFL athlete Philip Adams was found to have severe CTE after committing a shooting that resulted in six deaths in South Carolina in 2021 before he ended his own life.
NBC News consulted with Dr. Aaron Lord, chief of neurology at NYU Langone, specializing in brain injuries, about how CTE alters not only brain function but also behavior.
What is chronic traumatic encephalopathy?
Initially identified in boxers and referred to as “punch drunk syndrome,” CTE can lead to neurological issues such as early onset dementia, memory problems, personality changes, and disorders similar to Parkinson’s disease.
CTE can affect individuals who experience repeated head trauma.
“It’s about the cumulative shock waves in the brain,” he explained.
Research is ongoing regarding the correlation between CTE and suicide, as there seems to be an unexpectedly high incidence of CTE among athletes who have taken their own lives.
However, experts have not yet determined “the incidence and prevalence of the disease in both the general population and specific athletic groups,” he noted.
“We’re still in the process of defining this condition,” he added.
How is CTE diagnosed?
CTE cannot be diagnosed without an autopsy, as there are no established criteria for its diagnosis. Hence, it remains challenging to identify, according to Dr. Lord. An autopsy must reveal tissue degeneration with abnormal aggregations of specific proteins around the brain’s blood vessels.
Patients and their physicians may suspect CTE when significant mood and behavior alterations occur, especially following known head impacts and their severity.
Dr. Lord mentioned that an MRI of the brain may show changes consistent with the disease, but this alone is insufficient for a diagnosis.
The symptoms of CTE may overlap with various mental health disorders, including major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, he noted.
Dr. Lord has also observed connections between CTE and behaviors such as increased aggression and impulsivity, along with other personality alterations.
While CTE is frequently observed in older individuals, possibly due to years of repeated trauma, even a single head injury can lead to brain damage, even without resulting in CTE.
“Even someone who has experienced a single car accident resulting in a frontal lobe injury may undergo permanent changes in personality, impulse control, and psychiatric states,” he concluded.
Is there a treatment for CTE?
Currently, there is no direct treatment for CTE, but Dr. Lord points out that psychiatric medications can assist in managing behavioral issues and other associated symptoms.
Not every individual who experiences a concussion develops CTE; according to the Mayo Clinic. Prevention remains key; employing seat belts or helmets to avoid head injuries can reduce the risks associated with CTE and other brain-related complications, according to Dr. Lord.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
