Psychiatric aspects of Traumatic Brain Injury in professional sports

Abstract

For nearly a century it has been hypothesized, that repetitive head trauma can lead to adverse neurological and psychiatric conditions [1]. Still, it took the discovery of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in a player of the National Football League to bring widespread public and scientific attention to this important topic on the intersection of neurology, psychiatry and sports medicine [2,3]. Traumatic Brain Injuries are a significant medical and socioeconomic burden that reaches far beyond professional sports, leading to the disability of millions worldwide [4,5,6]. An understanding of the psychiatric aspects of head trauma therefore is necessary among physicians to assure optimal medical care for these patients.