What are the four stages of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)?
Retired medical professional Dr. Matthew Boente MD is an expert in gynecology, obstetrics, and gynecologic oncology. As someone who is immersed in the medical field, he is also interested in the growing research regarding chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative disease due to multiple traumatic brain injuries. According to experts on neurology, the condition has four stages. Below is a summary of what happens to the brain as CTE progresses.
Stage I: Patients with CTE may not show symptoms during this early stage of the disease. In other cases, some patients have experienced mild or short-term memory loss or show symptoms of depression. There are also instances when a patient shows mild aggressive behavior.
Stage II: At this stage, individuals with CTE may experience symptoms from the first stage, as well as mood swings, violent tendencies, loss of executive functions, language difficulties, and suicidal thoughts. From his studies, Dr. Matthew Boente MD noted that in some cases, individuals experiencing these symptoms are diagnosed with the psychiatric illnesses that manifest as the disease progresses.
Stage III: At this stage, patients can become apathetic. They might also be experiencing significant memory loss along with visuospatial difficulties and aggression that might lead to a diagnosis of cognitive impairment. Headaches have also been reported in some cases.
Stage IV: Those with severe CTE may experience psychotic symptoms such as paranoia, extreme memory loss, dementia, and parkinsonism. At this stage, aggression, depression, and visuospatial difficulties might progress.
While public knowledge about CTE is in its early stages, and the majority of the cases are diagnosed posthumously, many medical professionals are researching about this neurological disease. For now, one way to slow down the progress of the disease is to manage the psychiatric and physical symptoms.
Dr. Matthew Boente MD is a specialist in obstetrics, gynecology, and gynecologic oncology with certification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He has also shared his expertise as an academician and consultant for pharmaceutical companies and oncology advisory boards. Visit this page for similar reads.
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Stage II: At this stage, individuals with CTE may experience symptoms from the first stage, as well as mood swings, violent tendencies, loss of executive functions, language difficulties, and suicidal thoughts. From his studies, Dr. Matthew Boente MD noted that in some cases, individuals experiencing these symptoms are diagnosed with the psychiatric illnesses that manifest as the disease progresses.
Stage III: At this stage, patients can become apathetic. They might also be experiencing significant memory loss along with visuospatial difficulties and aggression that might lead to a diagnosis of cognitive impairment. Headaches have also been reported in some cases.
Stage IV: Those with severe CTE may experience psychotic symptoms such as paranoia, extreme memory loss, dementia, and parkinsonism. At this stage, aggression, depression, and visuospatial difficulties might progress.
While public knowledge about CTE is in its early stages, and the majority of the cases are diagnosed posthumously, many medical professionals are researching about this neurological disease. For now, one way to slow down the progress of the disease is to manage the psychiatric and physical symptoms.
Dr. Matthew Boente MD is a specialist in obstetrics, gynecology, and gynecologic oncology with certification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He has also shared his expertise as an academician and consultant for pharmaceutical companies and oncology advisory boards. Visit this page for similar reads.
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