Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: What is the disease linked to Shane Devon Tamura, the New York shooter?

The man who opened fire in an office building in Manhattan was seeking to attack the headquarters of the National Football League (NFL) and had a note stating that he suffered from CTE, a degenerative brain disease that can cause behavioral changes in those who have it and often affects football players. Shane Devon Tamura drove across the country with a semi-automatic rifle and then carried out a mass shooting.

Although he never played professionally, he held high-impact positions in high school football that could have made him vulnerable to the disease. The NFL has a history with CTE, as several of its players have been diagnosed with the disease, and critics say it has not done enough to care for them.

What is CTE?

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by multiple head injuries, according to the Mayo Clinic. This brain disease causes nerve cells in the brain to die (neurodegeneration) and worsens over time, which can cause changes in the behavior and mental abilities of those who suffer from it. There is no cure, but it can be treated to manage the symptoms that arise.

It is often linked to contact sports (such as football or boxing) or the military (especially those exposed to explosions), as people involved in these activities often report multiple head injuries.

CTE is not a common disease, and therefore experts do not fully understand it. Studies are still being conducted to try to understand how repeated blows to the head and other factors may contribute to the changes in the brain that result in CTE.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of CTE are believed to include problems with thinking and emotions, as well as other physical symptoms and behaviors, and these can develop over several years or decades after a brain injury has occurred.

There is no specific list of symptoms associated with CTE. Some of them can occur in many other conditions. Below is a list of possible symptoms that may occur:

Cognitive impairment

• Difficulty thinking
• Memory loss
• Problems planning, organizing, and carrying out tasks

Behavioral changes

• Impulsive behavior
• Aggression

Mood swings

• Depression or apathy
• Emotional instability
• Substance abuse
• Suicidal thoughts or behavior

Motor symptoms

• Difficulty walking and maintaining balance. Tremors, slow movements, and difficulty speaking, known as parkinsonism.
• Gradual loss of control of movements such as walking, speaking, swallowing, and breathing, known as motor neuron disease.

Experts also argue that the symptoms of ETC can manifest in two different ways. The first appears at an early age, between 20 and 30 years old, and is often associated with mental health and behavioral disorders, such as depression, anxiety, impulsivity, and aggression. The second form occurs later in life, usually around age 60, and is characterized by cognitive difficulties, such as memory and thinking problems, which can progress to dementia.

It is recommended to see a doctor if several of these symptoms occur at the same time.

CTE and the NFL

This degenerative brain disease has long been linked to American football. Although it was identified almost a century ago in boxers, it gained prominence in the NFL after former player Mike Webster was diagnosed in 2002 by Dr. Bennet Omalu. The league initially rejected Omalu’s findings and has continued to deny many CTE-related claims, despite evidence linking the sport to serious neurological damage. Since 2008, the CTE Center at Boston University has diagnosed the disease in 345 of the 376 brains of former NFL players examined.

Some of the most notable cases include professional players Junior Seau, Aaron Hernandez, and Phillip Adams. The NFL has adopted safety reforms and promoted flag football (which involves less physical contact). However, critics argue that the league’s changes are insufficient and that it continues to refuse to fully accept responsibility.

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