Brain Testing Emphasized After Head Injuries Amid CTE Research

Renewed attention on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) among former NFL players, driven by recent studies, underscores the importance of brain assessment following any head injury. A study published in BMJ in August 2026 found CTE in 93.2% of donated brains from former NFL players, with researchers estimating at least one in four players in the studied period had the condition, a rate significantly higher than in the general population.<br/><br/>Dr. Jeremy Hertza, Medical Director at All Things Neuro, noted that professional athletes typically have structured systems for evaluating head impacts. However, individuals experiencing head trauma from events like car accidents, workplace incidents, or falls may lack access to similar systematic evaluations.<br/><br/>"Not all symptoms that appear to be long-term brain damage are permanent. Some of what appears after repeated head impact is the brain reacting in ways that can improve with the right care, but only if someone identifies it," Dr. Hertza stated. He contrasted this with athletes, highlighting that many who experience repeated head injuries from various causes, including abuse or minor accidents, never undergo testing.<br/><br/>To address this gap, All Things Neuro offers its telehealth service, Braincussion, for concussion and TBI testing. While Braincussion does not diagnose CTE, it provides objective, standardized testing to help identify potential signs of concussion or TBI. Gairy Johnson, Founder & CEO of All Things Neuro, emphasized that the initial step after a head injury should be testing to understand the situation and facilitate appropriate next steps in care.<br/><br/>The company's services are available in Georgia, Ohio, and Massachusetts. All Things Neuro also provides oculomotor and oculo-vestibular assessments, neuropsychological evaluations, and rehabilitation care. Users of the SmartAdvocate case management platform can integrate Braincussion into their workflows.