PSY FPX 6840 Assessment 1 CTE and the effects on Cognitive Performance 

CTE and the Effects on Cognitive Performance

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE): Implications for Athlete Well-being

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition stemming from repeated head traumas (Lepage et al., 2019). Its impact on cognition, mood, and behavior is well-documented (Laffey et al., 2018). Sadly, CTE can only be definitively diagnosed post-mortem (Lepage et al., 2019). As a former college football player, I’ve witnessed firsthand how repetitive head injuries can erode an athlete’s confidence and affect their performance (Barr, 2020). The intersection of CTE and sports-related concussions has received immense global attention (Barr, 2020).

Psychological Interventions for Athletes with CTE Risk

Sport psychology aims to maximize the psychological condition of athletes towards peak performance (Lavallee & Wylleman, 2000). CTE, however, presents special challenges towards this objective due to its cognitive and emotional impacts (Laffey et al., 2018). Impulsivity, depression, and memory loss indicators can impair a sportsman’s performance (Laffey et al., 2018). Despite this, goal-setting, concentration training, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions are promising areas for CTE-related stressor treatment (Lavallee & Wylleman, 2000).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a Promising Approach

Among them, CBT, and to a larger extent mindfulness interventions, are found to be effective in reducing the effects of CTE (Lavaellee & Wylleman, 2000). Through the assistance of self-awareness and emotional regulation, players are in a better position to deal with the difficulties that CTE poses (Lavaellee & Wylleman, 2000).

Challenges and Stigma in Professional Football

In professional football, the focus on toughness dissuades players from admitting or reporting head injuries (Barr, 2020). This has resulted in lawsuits against the NFL by former players for negligence in managing cases of head trauma (Abreu et al., 2016). Concussions and CTE are nonetheless spoken about in whispers across the league because players fear being punished by management in their teams (Abreu et al., 2016).

Emerging Research and Interventions

Notwithstanding all these difficulties, continuing research brings the potential to avert and handle CTE. Therapeutic procedures such as LIPUS have potential in preventing neurological damage following traumatic brain injury, including CTE (Tsai, 2020). Finally, research with animals contributes crucial information concerning the development of CTE pathology and guidance on future intervention and treatment options (Kahriman et al., 2021).

Finally, this intricate dynamic of sports, head injury, and psychiatry should be discussed so that the athletes can remain safe. With an adherence to evidence-based therapy and open disclosure, we better provide care to the athlete at whatever point there may be when wrestling with CTE’s complications.

PSY FPX 6840 Assessment 1 CTE and the effects on Cognitive Performance 

Kahriman, A., Bouley, J., Smith, T.W., et al. (2021). Mouse closed head traumatic brain injury replicates the histological tau pathology pattern of human disease: characterization of a novel model and systematic review of the literature. Acta Neuropathol Commun, 9, 118. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40478-021-01220-8

Lavaellee, D., & Wylleman, P. (2000). Career transitions in sport: International perspectives. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Lepage, C., Muehlmann, M., Tripodis, Y., Hufschmidt, J., Stamm, J., Green, K., Wrobel, P., Schultz, V., Weir, I., Alosco et al. (2019). Limbic system structure volumes and associated neurocognitive functioning in former NFL players. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 13(3), 725–734. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-018-9895-z

NFL Players Sound Off on Concussions. (2016, February 4). Associated Press.

PSY FPX 6840 Assessment 1 CTE and the effects on Cognitive Performance 

Tsai. (2020). Preventive potential of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for chronic traumatic encephalopathy after repetitive head collisions in contact sports. Medical Hypotheses, 134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2019.109422