CTE

American  

[see-tee-ee] / ˈsiˈtiˈi /

abbreviation

1. Also called dementia pugilistica.  chronic traumatic encephalopathy: a progressive degenerative neurological disease caused by repeated cerebral concussion or milder traumatic brain injury and characterized by memory loss, behavioral disturbances, speech problems, slowed movement, etc.

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Usage

What is CTE? CTE stands for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated trauma to the head. The disease is especially prevalent among military veterans and professional athletes like American football players.How is CTE pronounced?[ see-tee-ee ]

Etymology

Origin of CTE

First recorded in 1945–50.

Example Sentences

A 2023 Boston University study found that 91.7% of nearly 400 post-mortem brains of former NFL players contained CTE, a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated head trauma.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

Prof Stewart said symptoms of CTE were cognitive decline and neuro-behaviour change, and that they "can't be explained by another condition - it must be progressive".

From BBC • Jan. 26, 2026

"CTE contributed to his death significantly," said Prof Stewart, adding that the only available causal evidence was exposure to repeated impacts - heading a football.

From BBC • Jan. 26, 2026

Emails to Saks asking about owed payments often went unanswered or were met with a runaround, said Emiliano Shnitzer-Bartocci, vice president of CTE Watch Co., which distributes Timex watches and Ray-Ban sunglasses among other accessories.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

Nowinski stressed that being diagnosed with CTE didn’t necessarily cause Tamura to commit a crime.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2025