There is a wealth of data to support an association between moderate-severe injuries and chronic neurocognitive impairment. There is less clarity determining the linkage of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) with neurodegeneration. Of particular focus at this time is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

CTE is a pathological diagnosis that can only be definitively assigned post-mortem. The current proposed clinical profile of CTE is a retrospective compilation of numerous symptoms many of which occur at high base rates in former athlete and military populations.

Physicians are seeing an increasing number of current and retired athletes and military service members with significant concerns regarding their futures.

The mean age was 38.8 years.

The most common identified problems were post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain (including headaches), sleep symptoms and major depressive disorder.

79 of the 126 military veterans were underwent neuropsychological assessment.

61 of the 79 patients had reported history of TBI.  21 of these patients were identified as having a TBI etiology to their presenting symptoms.

5 of the 79 patients diagnosed with mild neurocognitive disorder. None diagnosed with major neurocognitive disorder

Many of the symptoms experienced by retired athletes and military service members may be unrelated to their history of head trauma. Physicians should ensure they consider etiologies other than a neurodegenerative process when working up persistent neurobehavioral symptoms in this population.