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5h ago

Single-Cell Study Finds Alzheimer-Like Genomic Damage in CTE Brains

Researchers say the patterns suggest CTE progresses through immune-driven mechanisms long after trauma.

Research from Dr. Ann McKee of Boston University and other scientists examined the brains of people with and without CTE.
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Overview

  • The peer-reviewed Science paper analyzed hundreds of single neurons from the prefrontal cortex using a new single-cell genome sequencing approach.
  • Samples included 15 brains with CTE, four with repetitive head impacts without CTE, seven with Alzheimer’s disease, and 19 neurotypical controls.
  • Neurons from CTE cases showed somatic genomic damage that closely mirrored Alzheimer’s, whereas RHI-only brains lacked these changes.
  • The extent of damage in CTE neurons was described as equivalent to roughly 100-plus years of excess aging, reinforcing CTE as a neurodegenerative disease.
  • Investigators note there is still no definitive test for CTE in living people and say the shared signatures could inform future targets, pending validation in larger cohorts.