Family History of Mental Illness May Heighten Aggression Risk in CTE Patients

**Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)**, a neurodegenerative disorder common in individuals with a history of repeated head traumas, has been linked to heightened aggression when coupled with a family history of mental illness, as shown in a study published in _Neurology_. Conducting the study, researchers at Boston University examined 845 male participants with a history of contact sports or military service. Of these, 70% had CTE, and 45% had a family history of mental illness. **Out of the studied participants:** * 256 had both CTE and a mental illness history. * 333 had CTE but no family history. * 127 had no CTE but a family history of mental illness. * 129 had neither CTE nor a family mental illness history. Family members were interviewed regarding the deceased's aggressive behaviors, which ranged from severe arguments to physical altercations, with aggression scores from 0 to 44. Findings revealed that those with both CTE and mental illness history showed higher aggression scores, especially those who passed between ages 40 and 59. A standard deviation increase of 0.64 in aggression scores was noted compared to CTE patients without a family history of mental illness. This suggests a shared genetic and environmental backdrop contributing to increased aggression levels. Recognizing individuals at risk could enhance prediction of CTE consequences, aiding in pinpointing treatment needs. Researchers, however, acknowledge limitations, highlighting reliance on potentially inaccurate reports from family members. This study was supported by the **NIH**, **Department of Veterans Affairs**, and the Nick and Lynn Buoniconti Foundation.