Exp Neurobiol.  2017 Jun;26(3):172-177. 10.5607/en.2017.26.3.172.

An Autopsy Proven Child Onset Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

• Lee K
• Kim SI
• Lee Y
• Won JK
• Park SH

• KMID: 2383787
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5607/en.2017.26.3.172

Abstract

Here we present an autopsy case of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in a 36-year-old man. He had a history of febrile seizures at the age of four and was severely demented at age 10 when he was admitted to a mental hospital. He had suffered repetitive self-harm, such as frequent banging of the head on the wall in his hospital record, but he had no clear history between the ages of four and ten. Autopsy revealed global cerebral atrophy, including the basal ganglia, thalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, mammilary bodies and lateral geniculate bodies. This case showed typical pathological features of CTE. Phosphorylated tau (p-tau)-positive neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and neuropil threads (NT) we are widely distributed in the brain, especially in the depth of the cerebral sulci. NFT and NT were also found in the basal ganglia, thalamus, amygdala and brainstem. Scanty β-amyloid deposits were found in the motor and sensory cortices, but α-synuclein was completely negative in the brain. This example showed that CTE can occur in young ages and that even children can experience CTE dementia.

Keyword

Pathology; Traumatic encephalopathy; chronic; children; dementia

MeSH Terms

Adult
Amygdala
Atrophy
Autopsy*
Basal Ganglia
Brain
Brain Injuries
Brain Injury, Chronic*
Brain Stem
Child*
Dementia
Geniculate Bodies
Head
Hippocampus
Hospital Records
Hospitals, Psychiatric
Humans
Neurofibrillary Tangles
Neuropil Threads
Pathology
Seizures, Febrile
Thalamus