1. Mike Webster (Patient zero):
It’s just a concussion right? A report exposing the future consequences of repetitively sustained head injuries in sports By: Akhil Ramaswamy
Figure 5: NFL Logo (Source: 
Controversies:
Correlation does not prove causation statement issued by many
Several other factors effect CTE development
Demographics (Age, gender)
A Protein E gene mutatoin present in all cases
What is a TBI?
Traumatic Brain Injuries are basically concussions and can range in severity
Concussions can cause two different types of damage to the brain
Occur when a biomechanical force is applied to the head
Structural (skeletal) Damage
Affects physical brain regions
Functional damage
Caused by hook like and rotational forces
Causes axonal damage thus disrupting communication of neurons within the brain
The axon is the part of the neuron that is responsible for relaying signals across the brain, after a direct hit on the head the axons may swell causing functional damage to the brain
Can cause neural cell death
Most cases of structural and functional damages arise from lower CBF to the brain (Cerebral Blood Flow) and increase in glucose usage causes a energy crises that puts a lot of stress on the brain
Can lead to a variety of disorders and problems
Mike Webster (Patient zero):
Former Center for the Pittsburgh Steelers
First football player to be diagnosed with CTE
Suffered from serious Dementia and loss of cognitive function throughout his life
Had trouble sleeping as a result of injuries sustained to the brain in his playing career
Body and brain was in a deteriorated state
Suffered from severe memory loss
Could not remember family members
More info on CTE:
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
A neurodegenerative disorder that can lead to death caused by TBI’s
Known as “Punch-Drunk Syndrome” in boxing
Very common in athletes
Pathology synonymous with that of ALS and Alzheimer's
Diagnosed after death
Accumulation of Tau protein in brain
What’s being done!:
New Concussion protocol by the NFL
Concussion education and awareness training
Better helmets that provide impact force protection
New sensor technology that players can wear that monitors and quantifies impact force data when a collision occurs (Triax sensor)
Figure 4: Mike Webster (Source:
Figure 6: Triax Sensor (Source:
Work Cited:
Webster, P., Omalu, B., M.D., Otto, J., & Young, S. (2014, September 29). Mike Websters Legacy [Interview]. Retrieved February 27, 2017, from
Ling, H., Morris, H. R., Neal, J. W., Lees, A. J., Hardy, J., Holton, J. L., Williams, D. D. (2017). Mixed pathologies including chronic traumatic encephalopathy account for dementia in retired association football (soccer) players. Acta Neuropathologica,133(3), doi: /s
Garber, G. (2005, January 24). A tormented soul. Retrieved February 18, 2017, from
Ling, H., Hardy, J., & Zetterberg, H. (2015). Neurological consequences of traumatic brain injuries in sports. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, 66, DOI:  /j.mcn
Mckee, A. C., MD, Cantu, R. C., MD, Nowinski, C. J., AB, Hedley-Whyte, E., MD, Gavett, B. E., PHD, Budson, A. E., MD, Stern, R. A., PHD. (2009). Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in Athletes: Progressive Tauopathy After Repetitive Head Injury . Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology,68(7), doi: /NEN.0b013e3181a9d503
Giza, C. C., MD, & Hovda, D. A., PhD. (2014). The New Neurometabolic Cascade of Concussion. Neurosurgery,75(4), doi: /NEU
Castillo, %. (2014, March 20). Basketball and the brain: Concussions aren't just a risk in football. CBS News. Retrieved February 27, 2017, from
Figure 2: Neuropathology of CTE (Source: )
Where’s the proof?:
TBI has negative consequences in all sports from football and boxing to soccer
Majority of brain autopsies of athletes with repetitive forms of brain trauma show damage to specific brain regions
Dementia and memory loss are common symptoms in all case studies
Majority of the athletes who have dementia also have CTE
Figure 1: Graphic of neuron of cell (Source:
What does it cause?:
Dementia
Steady decline of motor and cognition functions
CTE
Secondary impact syndrome
occurs when a player has not recovered from a concussion and gets hurt again where he/she might go into a coma
Juvenile Head Trauma Syndrome:
TBI in children and youth athletes
Subdural Hematoma
Most common case of TBI related death
Usually found in boxers
Figure 3.2: Tau Protein stained images (Source:
Figure 3.2: Frontal Cortex of damaged vs normal (Source:
Figure 3.2: Damaged Hippocampus of athletes(Source: