Diagnosis

Diagnosing CTE is challenging, as symptoms can mimic other conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Currently, CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death, through an autopsy and brain tissue analysis.
Researchers are working to develop biomarkers and imaging tests to diagnose CTE in living individuals. These include:
Tau protein imaging: PET scans to detect abnormal tau protein in the brain.
MRI and DTI: Magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging to assess brain damage.
Biomarkers: Blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests to identify CTE-specific proteins.