This study conducted a preliminary examination on cognitive reserve (CR) as a modifier of symptom expression in subjects with autopsy-confirmed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The sample included 25 former professional football players neuropathologically diagnosed with CTE stage III or IV. Next of kin interviews ascertained age at cognitive and behavioral/mood symptom onset and demographic/athletic characteristics. Years of education and occupational attainment defined CR. High occupational achievement predicted later age at cognitive (p=0.02) and behavioral/mood (p=0.02) onset. Education was not an individual predictor. These preliminary findings suggest that CR may forestall the clinical manifestation of CTE.

Volume 29
Issue 1

Winter 2017
Pages 6-12

Metrics

The authors gratefully acknowledge the use of the resources and facilities at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital (Bedford, Mass.). The authors also gratefully acknowledge the help of all members of the Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Program at Boston University School of Medicine, the Boston VA, as well as the individuals and families whose participation and contributions made this work possible.

PDF download

History

Received 8 March 2016

Revised 28 April 2016

Accepted 13 May 2016

Published online 19 August 2016

Published in print 1 January 2017

Sign In

Change Password

Your password must have 6 characters or more:

Password Changed Successfully

Create your account

Forget yout Password?

Forgot your Username?

Cognitive Reserve as a Modifier of Clinical Expression in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: A Preliminary Examination

Abstract