Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Presenting as Alzheimer's Disease in a Retired Soccer Player

J Alzheimers Dis. 2016 Jul 29;54(1):169-74. doi: 10.3233/JAD-160312.

Abstract

The relationship between soccer and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is not well established. We report clinicopathological correlations in an 83-year-old retired center-back soccer player, with no history of concussion, manifesting typical Alzheimer-type dementia. Examination revealed mixed pathology including widespread CTE, moderate Alzheimer's disease, hippocampal sclerosis, and TDP-43 proteinopathy. This case adds to a few CTE cases described in soccer players. Furthermore, it corroborates that CTE may present clinically as typical Alzheimer-type dementia. Further studies investigating the extent to which soccer is a risk for CTE are needed.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; autopsy; chronic post-traumatic encephalopathy; dementia; humans; soccer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology*
  • Athletes*
  • Athletic Injuries / pathology
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy / diagnosis*
  • Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy / etiology
  • Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sclerosis / pathology
  • Soccer* / injuries
  • TDP-43 Proteinopathies / diagnosis
  • TDP-43 Proteinopathies / pathology*