Repetitive head trauma, chronic traumatic encephalopathy and tau: Challenges in translating from mice to men.

Repetitive head trauma, chronic traumatic encephalopathy and tau: Challenges in translating from mice to men.
Exp Neurol. 2015 Jun 6;
Authors: Ojo JO, Mouzon BC, Crawford F
Abstract
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurological and psychiatric condition marked by preferential perivascular foci of neurofibrillary and glial tangles (composed of hyperphosphorylated-tau proteins) in the depths of the sulci. Recent retrospective case series published over the last decade on athletes and military personnel have added considerably to our clinical and histopathological knowledge of CTE. This has marked a vital turning point in the traumatic brain injury (TBI) field, raising public awareness of the potential long-term effects of mild and moderate repetitive TBI, which has been recognized as one of the major risk factors associated with CTE. Although these human studies have been informative, their retrospective design carries certain inherent limitations that should be cautiously interpreted. In particular, the current overriding issue in the CTE literature remains confusing in regard to appropriate definitions of terminology, variability in individual pathologies and the potential case selection bias in autopsy based studies. There are currently no epidemiological or prospective studies on CTE. Controlled preclinical studies in animals therefore provide an alternative means for specifically interrogating aspects of CTE pathogenesi...

Source: Experimental Neurology - June 6, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Ojo JO, Mouzon BC, Crawford F Tags: Exp Neurol Source Type: research