A study recently published in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry suggests that PET scans might help track brain injuries in athletes and soldiers while they are still alive.
A disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is said to be responsible for death of many athletes and other people who suffer head injuries that are not even concussion. The brain autopsy after their death reveals the disease and hence there is seemingly no way to protect them.
Head hits and concussions are pretty common for the National Football League (NFL) players, who, owing to the aggressive nature of the game, are always prone to severe injuries. Five retired NFL players were given PET scans last year, and the results showed presence of tau protein in their brains. The build-up of these proteins is responsible for death of many players.
The lead author of the recent study Dr. Gary Small has made an attempt to diagnose the disease while the victims are still alive. PET scans can help ascertain the presence of tau protein and hence possible measures to prevent the disease can be taken. However, the experimentation must be made on a large group to prove this study absolutely correct.
According to New York Times, Dr. Gary Small said of the study:
“Early detection of tau proteins may help us to understand what is happening sooner in the brains of these injured athletes. Our findings may also guide us in developing strategies and interventions to protect those with early symptoms, rather than try to repair damage once it becomes extensive.”
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