I spoke to Dr. Haroon Burhanullah, a Geriatric Neuropsychiatrist and Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins University, about the impact of high contact sports on athletes.
Dr. Burhanullah has been working for 12 years to evaluate patients with memory problems, and he does research on pre-clinical Alzheimer’s disease, patients with delirium, traumatic brain injury and stroke. Dr. Burhanullah chose his specific field during a rotation in neurology where he developed an interest in the brain, Alzheimer’s disease, and memory loss and wanted to know the cause of memory loss issues. He completed a Fellowship in neuroimaging and was awarded the Presidential Stimulus Award. For Dr. Burhanullah, the most rewarding aspect of neuropsychiatry is the difference he makes in his patients’ lives; giving them hope. Patients come from all over the world to Johns Hopkins Hospital, seeking solutions that they cannot get elsewhere.
According to Dr. Burhanullah, head injuries are very common in athletes who play high contact sports. Johns Hopkins Hospital treats football players with the National Football League (NFL) that have traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injury typically results from a violent blow to the head or body. Traumatic brain injury can be mild in some cases or moderate to severe in others. Mild traumatic brain injury may affect the brain cells temporarily while more serious traumatic brain injury can physically damage the brain and lead to serious complications or even death. Traumatic brain injuries can lead to behavioral changes, executive function disorders, loss of retention, cognitive problems, language difficulty, explosive temper and even dementia.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a type of traumatic brain injury commonly seen in football players and boxers. It is a progressive brain condition that is associated with repeated blows to the head. It is also associated with the development of dementia. The symptoms of CTE can vary but are very similar to the symptoms associated with Alzheimers disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the symptoms associated with CTE are also associated with many other conditions. Typical symptoms of CTE include short-term memory loss, mood changes, confusion and disorientation. As the condition progresses, the symptoms may include significant memory loss, slurred speech, symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease e.g. tremors and muscle stiffness, and in some rare cases, difficulty eating or swallowing.
Unfortunately, CTE is not reversible or curable and is diagnosed after death by examining brain tissue. However, some of CTE symptoms can be treated and managed. Psychiatrists and neuropsychiatrists work with patients to provide medication to help with mood swings, depression and memory loss.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy/
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