CTE stands for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative disease associated with repeated head trauma.

According to Dr. McKee, what was surprising about the first football player's brain she examined with CTE?

The amount of tau protein present was extraordinary, even though the brain appeared normal to the naked eye.

How does the tau protein associated with CTE differ from that found in Alzheimer's disease?

The tau protein in CTE accumulates in a peculiar constellation, circling around blood vessels and affecting different brain regions than Alzheimer's.

The tau protein spreads and involves more and more regions of the brain as the person ages.

For every 2.6 years of playing football, the risk of developing CTE doubles.

Grade 11th Grade · Health · 50 min· Skyline

I can analyze the potential long-term effects of football on brain health, including CTE.

Boston University · 5:19

What Does Tackle Football Do to the Brain? | Q&A with CTE Expert Dr. Ann McKee

3 key concepts

1
Dr. McKee's lab analyzes donated brains to diagnose conditions like CTE by examining slides for abnormal protein buildup.
2
CTE is characterized by the accumulation of tau protein around blood vessels, affecting brain regions differently than Alzheimer's disease.
3
Each 2.6 years of playing football doubles the risk of developing CTE, regardless of the level of play (NFL or peewee).

12 questions · Multiple choice & Short answer

Quick comprehension check

“According to Dr. McKee's research, what is the relationship between the number of years someone plays football and their risk of developing CTE?”

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