Cte
In short
CTE stands for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a progressive brain disease caused by repeated head injuries. It is most commonly found in athletes who play contact sports.
In plain words
When a person hits their head many times, it causes tiny bits of damage to the brain. Over many years, this damage builds up and changes how the brain works. This can lead to memory loss and mood changes.
A simple example
A professional boxer might develop CTE after years of taking punches to the head during matches. Even if they do not have a single major concussion, the small hits add up.
Why it matters
It is a major health concern for sports organisations and players. Understanding the risks helps in creating better safety rules and equipment.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse it with a concussion, which is a single, immediate brain injury.