• July 1, 2026 | 3:35 PM - 4:30 PM
• PCC,Hall B (or C)

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: State-of-the-Science and Prioritizing Athlete Brain Health

Contact and collision sport athletes who sustain repetitive head impacts (RHI) are at increased risk for neurodegenerative diseases, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as they age. Athletic trainers increasingly are faced with questions from athletes, coaches, and parents concerned about sport-related head trauma and the ramifications for short- and long-term brain health. There remain significant gaps in understanding who is at greatest risk for diseases like CTE and our ability to diagnose CTE during life. Closing these gaps is essential for providing accurate education to athletes, implementing primary and secondary prevention strategies, and ultimately developing therapeutics. Athletic trainers play a unique role in communicating the state-of-the-science to their athletes and advocating for athlete health both during and after their playing careers.

Learning Objectives - Identify the difference between neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., CTE, Alzheimer’s disease) and changes in cognitive or behavioral function (mild cognitive impairment, dementia).
- Describe the current state of knowledge around CTE risk factors.
- Recognize opportunities for primary and secondary prevention of RHI-related brain health risks.
- Express education and awareness plans for at-risk athletes concerned about aging brain health

Keywords: Chronic traumatic encephalopathy; Concussion; Biomarker