Chronic Truamatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

[Nidan Melbourne]

Now with that "Slapping" Thread being of interest, I thought it might be good for some awareness around this disease and thought it might be a good thing to talk about. As we are in some way at an increased risk of this. 

I am not saying that everyone in the MA Community will develop this, along with other activities (i.e. NFL for you Americans, and Aussie Rules Football for me here in Australia). As we have many amazing members here who have been in the world for several decades. 

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Big Question: Who here has considered following their deaths to have their Brain donated to researching this or in some other capacity? 

As I have recently updated my will; I have included that only my Brain to be used for research. Because I have a family history of Dementia.

Chronic Truamatic Encephalopathy or CTE for short; which is a Progressive Neurodegenerative Disease. Which can have the following symptoms: 

• Memory Loss
• Confusion
• Mood Changes (Anxiety, Depression, Aggression included)
• Impaired Judgement
• Impulsivity 
• Behavioural Changes 

Now these can be confused with Dementia or Alzheimers whilst one is alive, but can be ruled out using the symptoms and family history along with other conditions. 

Unfortunately it is a common issue in Contact and Combat Sports; as the risk of repeated head trauma and concussions is quite high. In comparison between the UFC (and other MMA type formats) and us "normal" folk there is a stark contrast between the two. 

 

[bushido_man96]

I have never really given any consideration to donating any body parts post-mortem for research purposes.  I'd be interested to know what current studies of such donations have gleaned thus far.

My mother had dementia, and my father is currently battling a form of it as well.  I'm not super excited about my chances later in life.  Before my parents, though, it didn't seem to be something that ran in the family.

[KarateKen]

On 7/5/2025 at 9:15 AM, Nidan Melbourne said:

Chronic Truamatic Encephalopathy or CTE for short; which is a Progressive Neurodegenerative Disease. Which can have the following symptoms: 

• Memory Loss
• Confusion
• Mood Changes (Anxiety, Depression, Aggression included)
• Impaired Judgement
• Impulsivity 
• Behavioural Changes 

 

 

Sounds like a typical Saturday night during my drinking years.

Kidding aside though, I might have gotten a concussion during my first TKD tournament after a kick to the face left me seeing stars for a few days.  Did not get KOed or go out, but enough to where I likely suffered some damage. 

From what I understand about concussions, and I am no expert or close to it, once you have the first one, you are at higher risk for more of them later on, and one plus one does not equal two, it is more like three or four, the damage sort of compounds the more of them you have.  People do not usually see the results of that damage until later in life, meaning that the behaviors you listed do not show up as much when you are young, it shows up big time when you are older.  

Good on you for donating your body to science, it could help a lot of people who come after you. 

 

[KarateKen]

I posted this in the NFL thread but then realized it was probably better fit here.  I've copied and pasted the post.

 

A crazy man walked into a building in New York and opened fire, killing four people before committing suicide.  He had a note saying that he had CTE from playing football in high school.  It appears he intended to target the NFL offices in New York but accidently went into an elevator that goes to a different location. The gunman never played in the NFL but blamed football for causing his brain damage. 

One of the victims was a police officer who had two children and a third on the way.

Tragic and scary situation for sure.  

 

 

[bushido_man96]

I saw this news as well.  Terrible.  I get tired of people shifting blame.  He's the one that made the decision to play football.  The NFL did not force him to play football.  It's a tragedy for all the victims involved, the families of the victims, and the shooter and his family.