MRI may detect Concussion-Linked CTE while Patients are still alive

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative tauopathy, cannot be diagnosed during life at the moment. Atrophy patterns on magnetic resonance imaging may be an effective in vivo biomarker of CTE, but they have yet to be identified. Neurodegeneration mechanisms in CTE are unknown.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging may be able to detect chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) while people are still alive finds a new study. As of now Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) which is a devastating concussion-linked brain condition can only be diagnosed after death via autopsy.

This study was conducted by Michael L. Alosco and team with the objective to Describe the macrostructural magnetic resonance imaging features of brain donors with autopsy-confirmed CTE, as well as the relationship between hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) and atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging. The findings of this study were published in BMC - Alzheimer's Research & Therapy.

In this study magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained through medical record requests for 55 deceased symptomatic men with autopsy-confirmed CTE and 31 men (n = 11 deceased) with normal cognition at the time of the scan, all of whom were over 60 years old. Three neuroradiologists assessed regional atrophy and microvascular disease (0 [none]–4 [severe]), microbleeds, and the presence of cavum septum pellucidum. At autopsy, neuropathologists used semi-quantitative scales to assess tau severity and atrophy.