OUR MISSION
We exist to provide hope and support to individuals and families who have suffered from the ill-effects of multiple concussions and traumatic brain injuries. CTE Hope provides education and awareness, and supports the research, diagnosis, management, and treatment necessary to protect individuals from the long-term effects of head traumas and concussions that can lead to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
Through research and development, we are searching for ways to identify CTE potential in concussed and sub-concussed brains. It is our aim to protect and defend against the long-term, ill-effects of multiple brain injuries – many of which occur often in organized sports, as well as everyday life. This is your chance to help us succeed.
Research
CTE Hope is developing a point-of-care device to measure inflammatory biomarkers and proteins associated with CTE. We are currently conducting a saliva study among athletes playing soccer and football who have suffered a documented head trauma. The data is analyzed during marked intervals throughout the season. We hope to expand to a nationwide clinical trial among D3 and D1 athletic programs.
In addition, we hope that our research will lead to identifying why some athletes are more susceptible to CTE than others, at what age a child should participate in collision sports, after how many hits should an athlete retire and eventually, a treatment for people suffering from CTE.
Development
From the research gathered we hope to develop better return-to-play, return-to-learn, and return-to-work protocols to protect ourselves and our athletes from CTE. We also intend to develop a certification program to ensure that caregivers have the correct information and guidelines to treat injured athletes accurately.
Support
At CTE Hope, we’re developing support groups that provide a safe space for dialogue, encouragement, resources, and hope for those suffering from post traumatic brain injuries (TBI). In addition, we encourage anyone suffering from post-subconcussive hit and post-TBI symptoms, to contact us. We provide management and treatment resources, ranging from dietary changes, CTE information, and referrals to CTE medical programs and studies. We are actively seeking partnerships within the medical community in hopes of facilitating more support resources for those who suffer from traumatic brain injuries and the symptoms that follow.
Advocacy
CTE Hope was successful in getting the Iowa (IA) legislature to introduce and adopt a resolution recognizing January 30th, 2018 as CTE Awareness Day. In time, we would like to support and introduce legislation requiring a certified athletic trainer on the sidelines of every contact sport event. CTE Hope also continuously spreads awareness and provides updated information and news on the dangers of repetitive hits to the brain
