CTE stands for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, which is a degenerative brain disease that is caused by repeated head injuries. It is a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions and repeated blows to the head. CTE causes the death of nerve cells in the brain, known as degeneration, and gets worse over time. The symptoms of CTE include cognitive, behavioral, mood, and motor changes, such as trouble thinking, memory loss, impulsive behavior, aggression, depression or apathy, emotional instability, substance misuse, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and problems with walking and balance. A diagnosis of CTE can only be made after death, when an autopsy can reveal whether the known brain changes of CTE are present. There is no cure or treatment for CTE, but certain medicines may be used to temporarily treat the cognitive (memory and thinking) and behavioral symptoms.