Welcome to ConneCTErs Australia

CTE is a type of dementia (degenerative brain disease) caused by many repeated injuries to a person’s brain. 

CTE has been linked to the exposure of repeated head impacts, injuries and concussions from high head impact activities, sport and workplaces, along with violence and other activities impacting brain and head safety. It is thought that brain vibration, inflammation, damage and a person’s genetic profile may play a role in the development of CTE dementia. Those at high risk of CTE are people who have experienced repeated concussive and sub-concussive head impacts over a period of time. 

Reducing head impacts and brain injuries along with concussion management are essential steps to preventing CTE.    

CTE cannot be diagnosed with clinical certainty until after death, as no definitive tests exist for living individuals. Instead, a medical specialist relies on a comprehensive clinical assessment to diagnose probable or suspected CTE. This assessment factors in the patient's personal background, history of repeated head injuries, and observed symptoms of cognitive impairment. Investigations and evaluations may typically involve:

• A thorough review of medical history and symptoms
• A physical examination
• Imaging studies of the brain (e.g. CT, MRI)
• Testing of blood and urine
• Psychiatric and mental state assessments
• Functional testing of memory and cognition (likely to include neuropsychological testing, OT assessments, and other relevant assessments)

When other conditions have been eliminated as the cause and the symptoms align with the pattern of the disease, a specialist may formally diagnose the condition as probable or suspected CTE (and/or other relevant diagnosis)

Our medical and research experts for CTE advise that both concussion and sub-concussions contribute to CTE, empahising the importance of being aware that even without clinical symptoms, damage to the brain can occur. 

The Brain Foundation helpfully describes a concussion and sub-concussion. 

• A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury that can occur when the head or body experiences a sudden impact or jolt. 
• The impact causes brain strain with resultant inflammation, damage to neurons, and a change in your metabolic state.
• Concussion was once believed to be a minor injury that does not cause ongoing complications. However, new research has found that 20-50% of patients report persistent side effects beyond one month.
• A sub-concussion refers to head injuries that do not result in the clinical symptoms of a concussion but can carry less, equal or greater force than a concussion.

ConneCTErs Australia's take home message is aligned with the experts saying, if in doubt, sit it out. This is to give the brain time to recover even when there are no signs or symptoms.