Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head injuries and concussions. It can only be diagnosed reliably during an autopsy by examining brain tissue for a buildup of an abnormal protein called tau. Over time, these tau proteins clump together around blood vessels throughout the brain tissue, slowly squeezing off nerve cells. This deterioration eventually ruins neuronal connections and leads to cognitive and psychiatric issues such as memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, depression and, eventually, progressive dementia.
The chronic traumatic encephalopathy market is estimated to be valued at USD 958 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1,480 million by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4% from 2024 to 2031.
Key players operating in the chronic traumatic encephalopathy market are copyright, Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Biogen among others. These players are involved in developing novel therapeutic drugs and diagnostic tools to detect CTE at an early stage.
The increasing popularity of contact sports and awareness regarding the mental health risks associated with repetitive brain injuries is driving the demand for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Market and therapeutics. As per statistics, around 10-20% of athletes participating in contact sports are at the risk of developing long-term neurological complications.
Technological advancements are being made to develop novel PET imaging agents, blood and fluid biomarkers to non-invasively diagnose CTE in living patients. Biomarkers can help detect the protein deposits in the brain at an early asymptomatic stage to help manage the condition better. MRI and CT imaging techniques are also being optimized to detect structural changes in the brain caused by CTE.
Market Trends
- Development of novel PET tracers - Several research projects are ongoing to develop positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents to detect tau deposits in living patients. These tracers would enable early diagnosis of CTE.
- Blood and fluid biomarkers - Biomarkers detected in cerebrospinal fluid or blood can potentially diagnose CTE in asymptomatic individuals. Companies are developing assays to detect tau and other protein biomarkers linked to the disease.
Market Opportunities
- Therapeutics targeting tauopathies - Due to absence of approved drugs, an opportunity exists for companies to develop disease-modifying therapies targeting tau through immunotherapy, gene-silencing, or other novel mechanisms.
- Wearable sensors - Integration of wearable sensors in helmets and mouthpieces during contact sports can monitor head impacts in real-time. Data generated can help in modeling risk of CTE and its progression.
Impact of COVID-19 on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Market Growth
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) market. During the initial lockdown phases in 2020, there was a steep decline in the number of new CTE cases diagnosed. This can be attributed to the cancellation or postponement of contact sports activities and events which are a leading cause of repetitive brain trauma linked to CTE. Social distancing norms have led to alterations in sports practices to minimize risks but various leagues and associations are ensuring regular testing of players to track long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain.
North America accounts for the largest share of the CTE market in terms of value. This can be attributed to rising prevalence of contact sports-related brain injuries, increasing diagnosis rates supported by advanced research labs, presence of major players and ongoing clinical trials for CTE treatments in the US and copyright. Europe is the second largest CTE market led by Germany, UK and France. Higher acceptance of CTE as a distinct disease, growing focus on sports concussion management and collaborations between research institutes and sporting bodies are driving growth.
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