Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) was initially conceptualized in boxers, but has extended to other athletes in recent years, albeit with limited clinical correlations. It is often asserted that CTE pathology represents the substrate for progressive neurodegenerative disease. We report the case of a shotgun injury to the brain with 42-year survival and no neurological disease progression until shortly before death. The decedent had no other traumatic brain injury (TBI) exposure and did not play football or other high energy collision sport. Neuropathological examination confirmed tissue damage, but additionally demonstrated localized patterns of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) meeting criteria for CTE pathology. P-tau and TDP-43 deposits within marginal tissue of damaged brain were also present focally. No amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits were present. These findings indicate that CTE pathology may occur following a single, severe TBI.
Keywords: TDP-43; autopsy; chronic traumatic encephalopathy; forensic science; penetrating traumatic brain injury; phosphorylated tau; shotgun injury.
© 2019 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.