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

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Capella University

PSY FPX 6840 Current Issues in Sport Psychology

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CTE and the effects on Cognitive Performance

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative condition linked to repeated head trauma. CTE has been associated with disruptions in cognitive function, mood, and behavior. Unfortunately, CTE can only be definitively diagnosed post-mortem (Lepage et al., 2019). From personal experience as a college football player, I have observed how repetitive head injuries can influence an athlete’s confidence and their approach to the game, often due to the fear of re-injury. The growing concerns around sports-related concussions and CTE have gained significant attention from the public and media, not only in the United States and Canada but also globally (Barr, 2020).

As previously mentioned, CTE is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that can lead to tissue necrosis due to a lack of blood supply over time. The field of sports psychology aims to help athletes return to play by ensuring they are mentally prepared to perform at their best. However, CTE presents conflicting factors that may impede an athlete’s progress toward their goals.

Clinically, CTE can manifest through executive dysfunction, memory issues, and behavioral changes such as depression, impulsiveness, irritability, explosiveness, and suicidal tendencies (Laffey et al., 2018). Sports psychology techniques, including goal-setting, focus strategies, cognitive-behavioral self-regulation (CBT), and emotional management, can help athletes manage CTE-related stress. Personally, I find CBT to be one of the most effective methods in addressing the emotional challenges posed by this condition. Mindfulness, a key element of CBT, allows athletes to recognize their emotions and control them before they become overwhelming.

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

As a child growing up loving football, no one ever tells you that if you reach the collegiate level or make it to the NFL, you may face cognitive issues due to head injuries. The focus is typically on becoming a stronger player than when you first started. Consequently, many professional athletes dismiss the long-term impact of serious injuries, focusing instead on achieving their dream of making it to the NFL. I am particularly passionate about the topic of CTE because I, too, aspired to reach the NFL, but after my collegiate football experience, my path did not take me there. I can only imagine the emotional toll of achieving a professional career, only to lose parts of myself or my memories of that journey due to CTE.

For years, the NFL has faced increased scrutiny over the rising number of CTE cases within the league. NFL culture holds toughness and resilience in high esteem, and these qualities are emphasized at all levels of the game. As a result, several former NFL players have filed lawsuits against the league, seeking compensation for negligence (Abreu et al., 2016). In a press conference leading up to Super Bowl 50, linebacker Luke Kuechly shared that a concussion sustained later in the season would have prevented him from playing in the game (NFL Players Sound Off On Concussions, 2016). Additionally, Antonio Smith, a Denver Broncos defensive end, declined to speak about concussions during the same press conference. The stigma surrounding head injuries in the NFL has led many players to avoid discussing the issue, fearing potential backlash from their franchises.

Despite these challenges, CTE remains a critical issue in the NFL, prompting ongoing research aimed at slowing or eliminating the progression of this neurodegenerative disease. One potential treatment involves low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), which is commonly used to promote bone healing. Recent studies suggest that LIPUS can noninvasively modulate cortical function and offer neuroprotective effects in various animal models of traumatic brain injury, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and major depressive disorder (Tsai, 2020).

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

In a study titled “Mouse closed head traumatic brain injury replicates the histological tau pathology pattern of human disease,” researchers subjected mice to repetitive head trauma over several days to assess the development of p-Tau pathology over 24 weeks (Kahriman et al., 2021). By dropping a 50g weight from a height of 15cm onto a transducer rod placed on the mice’s skulls, the researchers simulated traumatic brain injuries. After four weeks, tissue disruptions were observed in the cerebral cortex (Kahriman et al., 2021). This suggests that CTE in humans may develop sooner than previously thought, underscoring the urgent need for attention to this issue.Given these findings, it is essential to consider that all NFL players began playing football at a young age. Therefore, the trauma they sustained during their youth could significantly contribute to the cumulative damage experienced later in life.

References

Abreu, M. A., Cromartie, F. J., & Spradley, B. D. (2016). Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and former national football league player suicides. Sport Journal, 1-12.

Barr, W. B. (2020). Believers versus deniers: The radicalization of sports concussion and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) science. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 61(2), 151–162. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000210

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 Neuropathologica Communications, 9, 118. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40478-021-01220-8

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.