TAMPA, Fla. (BLOOM) — It starts with a hit. Maybe a tackle in a high school football game. Maybe a blast wave during military service. The damage isn’t visible, at least not right away. But for thousands of former athletes, service members, and their families, the long shadow of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, eventually comes into view. And by then, it may be too late.

CTE is a brain disease caused by repeated head impacts. The catch? It can only be definitively diagnosed after death. And by then, those affected have often lived through years of cognitive decline, memory loss, depression, and in some cases, suicide.

As researchers race toward a way to diagnose and treat CTE in living people, a growing number of advocates say we already have tools to intervene, if the medical system is willing to use them.

What We Know About CTE

CTE is a progressive brain disease linked to repetitive trauma. It causes a buildup of abnormal tau protein in brain tissue, disrupting how the brain works. In early stages, it may show up as mood swings, impulsivity, or depression. Later, symptoms often mirror those seen in Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s: memory loss, confusion, and eventually, dementia.

The disease has been found in boxers, football players, soccer stars, and military veterans. But its reach may be even broader than we thought.

At Boston University’s CTE Center, researchers have diagnosed CTE in 345 of the 376 former NFL players they’ve studied, a staggering 91.7%. And it’s not just pro athletes at risk.

A 2023 study published in JAMA Neurology examined the brains of 152 young athletes (all under 30) who played contact sports. Nearly 41% had signs of CTE, despite most having never played professionally.

One case involved a 28-year-old female soccer player, America’s first confirmed female CTE diagnosis.

The message is clear: You don’t have to be a superstar to suffer long-term consequences from repeated head trauma.

Diagnosis: Still After Death, But Signs Are Emerging

Right now, CTE can only be confirmed through a brain autopsy. But researchers are working on ways to identify the disease in living patients.

A 2024 study brought us a step closer. It linked common behavioral symptoms—aggression, depression, mood swings—with tau buildup in specific brain regions, using advanced brain imaging. While not a definitive diagnosis, it’s progress.

Scientists have also identified what may be a new form of CTE called cortical-sparing CTE (CSCTE). This variant affects different parts of the brain and may cause behavioral symptoms without severe memory loss, at least early on. It suggests that CTE isn’t a one-size-fits-all disease, and personalized care may be the future.

The Military’s Hidden Toll

While much of the conversation around CTE has centered on athletes, the military is increasingly part of the picture.

A case study on a 44-year-old Navy SWCC operator found severe CTE after years of exposure to repeated boat impacts during combat deployments. Researchers believe those occupational forces alone were enough to cause the disease.

The Navy’s suicide rate is now at a four-year high. Advocates believe unaddressed brain trauma may be a contributing factor.

What’s Being Done?

There’s no cure for CTE, yet. Treatment often focuses on managing symptoms: antidepressants, therapy, lifestyle changes. Prevention efforts target head impacts, especially among young athletes. Many schools have added concussion protocols, limited full-contact practices, and improved helmet technology.

Still, critics say it’s not enough. And some point to an uncomfortable reality: there may be financial incentives to continue studying CTE rather than treating it.

“Research pays better than cures, especially when there’s no profitable drug involved,” said one advocate from TreatNOW, a nonprofit focused on brain healing.

Is There a Treatment? Some Say Yes

One promising therapy being overlooked is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Used around the world for various conditions, HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Some researchers believe it helps heal brain injuries by reducing inflammation and restoring blood flow.

According to TreatNOW.org, HBOT has shown success in reducing symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and even suicidal ideation in veterans. The group has treated Navy operators, athletes, and civilians, many of whom saw measurable improvements.

Despite promising studies, HBOT is rarely prescribed for CTE or TBI-related conditions in the U.S., and it’s not widely covered by insurance.

“Moms and dads of kids with lingering concussion symptoms shouldn’t have to wait for a diagnosis,” said one advocate. “The symptoms are real. The suffering is real. And the treatment is already here.”

A Cautionary Reflection

The CTE crisis has drawn comparisons to one of medicine’s darkest chapters: the Tuskegee syphilis study, where treatment was knowingly withheld from Black men for decades, even after a cure was available.

“The parallels are chilling,” said a representative from TreatNOW. “With CTE, we have observable symptoms. We know the cause. We even have a potential treatment. And yet, the system stalls while lives unravel.”

Big Names, Big Stakes

Multiple institutions are now dedicated to studying CTE:

• Boston University’s UNITE Brain Bank has studied over 1,300 brains.
• The VA-BU-CLF Brain Bank focuses on veterans.
• The Mayo Clinic, Mount Sinai, and University of Pennsylvania all conduct related research.
• Globally, the Australian Sports Brain Bank and Canadian Concussion Centre are leading studies on contact sports and brain injury.

Still, critics argue that few of these institutions actively explore healing the brain in living patients.

Where Does This Leave Us?

CTE is real. It’s deadly. And its symptoms can begin decades before diagnosis, if there ever is one.

But there is hope.

New research, earlier interventions, and underutilized treatments like HBOT may help slow or even reverse the damage. The challenge now is whether the medical and sports communities are willing to act before more lives are lost.

The question isn’t just “What causes CTE?”

It’s “What will we do now that we know?”

If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms of brain trauma or suicidal thoughts, reach out to a mental health professional or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

For more information on treatment options, visit TreatNOW.org.