Summary: A new study reveals that individuals with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and a family history of mental illness have a heightened risk of aggression during adulthood, particularly between ages 40 and 59. Researchers analyzed data from 845 men with histories of head injuries, finding that those with both CTE and a family history of mental illness displayed significantly more aggressive behaviors than those with only one risk factor.
The findings suggest a combined influence of genetic predisposition and environmental factors on aggression in CTE. Identifying individuals at higher risk could help target interventions and improve treatment outcomes.
Key Facts : CTE patients with a family history of mental illness scored higher on aggression.
Aggression risk was most pronounced in individuals aged 40–59 years.
Family history of mental illness alone did not increase aggression in non-CTE individuals.
Source: AAN
People who have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) who have a family history of mental illness may have a higher risk of aggression in middle age, according to a study published in the November 27, 2024, online issue of Neurology .
CTE is a neurodegenerative disease associated with repeated head injuries, often seen in athletes and military personnel, that can lead to mood changes and dementia. For people who did not have CTE, having a family history of mental illness did not increase their risk for aggressive behavior. Credit: Neuroscience News “This appears to be a case where together these risk factors add up to a greater risk for aggression than they each do on their own, where people with CTE and a family history of mental illness are much more likely to have aggressive behavior than those with just CTE or just the family history,” said study author Jesse Mez, MD, MS, of Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and a member of the American Academy of Neurology.
The study involved 845 men who were exposed to repetitive head impacts through contact sports or military service. A total of 329 of them played professional football. All donated their brains to research after their death, which was at an average age […]
Family History of Mental Illness Increases Aggression Risk in CTE
