CLEVELAND, OH (CLEVELAND CLINIC) - Cleveland Clinic researchers have made a new discovery that could be helpful when it comes to diagnosing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) – which is a brain disease caused by repeated head impacts.
As of right now, CTE can only be diagnosed after death, making it impossible to detect and treat. But doctors have been studying a group of active and retired mixed martial arts fighters and boxers for twelve years. Their research shows that elevated levels of a certain bio-marker in the blood, correlate with a decline in cognitive function and structures of the brain. While promising, more research is needed to see if the findings are similar in other professions. And if they are, researchers say their ultimate goal would be to then use this test to help diagnose CTE while a person is still alive.
"So, it could be used to follow football players, hockey players, soccer players, our military. But again, we don't know that if this finding applies to these groups and we have to assess that before we can be sure and use this test on a routine basis," explained Dr. Charles Bernick, Cleveland Clinic.
When it comes to treatment, Doctor Bernick says this test could also be useful in the development of future medications.
