Jason Kelce took to social media last week to “virtually guarantee” that he suffers from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, better known as CTE, a brain disorder associated with repeated head injuries over time.
“All the research suggests there is a tendency to do that to some extent,” the recently retired Philadelphia Eagles center said. wrote on, formerly Twitter. “I think it’s entirely reasonable to assume that I have some degree of that.”
The comment came after Kelce posted an unrelated piece about his belief that famed racehorse Secretariat may have taken steroids when he won the Triple Crown in 1973. User
Kelce, 36, acknowledged there is no way to test for CTE. This condition can only be finally diagnosed through a brain autopsy after her death. But “the evidence suggests that they probably will,” he said. wrote.
What he says may pique your curiosity. Is there actually a way to detect CTE? And what should you do if you think you have it?
Here's what the experts said:
CTE is a disorder that causes the death of nerve cells in the brain. This condition is associated with behavioral changes such as aggression and impulsivity. Cognitive disorders such as depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems.
These symptoms can appear years after a head injury, and the condition can eventually lead to dementia and death.
“We know that when you hit your head, your brain shakes and its fibers shake. [are torn]There is inflammation,” said Dr. Charles Bernick, a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. health. “I think if this happens repeatedly, there will be a chain reaction. [in which] “Chronic inflammation can remain in the brain and not repair itself.”
Most people associate CTE with blows to the head during soccer, but the disease has also been found in the brains of boxers, hockey players, rugby players, lacrosse players and soccer players. A 2023 study found that more than 40% of 152 athletes who played contact sports and died before age 30 had CTE.
Researchers are just beginning to study CTE, and scientists still have important questions about the disease. Dr. Russell Lonser, chair of neurosurgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, said two pressing questions are how prevalent it is in the general population and whether symptoms can be reversed once they begin. health.
Lacking a post-mortem diagnosis, Lonser said there is no sure way to know if a person has CTE. Even doctors have trouble figuring it out, he added.
“The difficult thing about this is that some of the problems, like depression, [and anxiety]—These are some of the most common problems people can have during their lifetime,” he said.
Some symptoms, such as difficulty concentrating, can be caused by multiple conditions, making it difficult to determine whether it is CTE or something else that is causing the condition.
For this reason, people with a history of playing contact sports should not automatically assume they have CTE, Bernick said.
If you start experiencing unusual symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor to determine what may be causing them.
“The first thing is to get evaluated. Because you might find something else. [health issues]”For example, people who play soccer are still susceptible to other diseases that can affect memory and behavior, so it's important to rule out those first,” he explained.
Because there is no way to accurately diagnose CTE, there is no cure. However, your doctor can help you create a plan to address your individual symptoms.
“We treat based on symptoms,” Dr. Bernick said. “So if you have depression, we treat your depression.”