Jake Paul diagnosed with ‘early signs of CTE’, what does this mean: Doctor Explains

YouTube star Jake Paul, who holds a professional boxing record of 2-0 with two knockouts, is scheduled to throw hands with former UFC welterweight Ben Askren as part of the Triller Fight Club pay-per-view (PPV) event this Sat. night (April 17, 2021) inside Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

Which makes this a strange time to admit to having early signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

“It’s a dangerous sport,” Paul told combat sports reporters during Thursday’s media day (watch it here). “That’s why, when people question my dedication to it—it’s like, I’m showing up every single day. I’m putting my mental health on the line, my brain is on the line. Like you said, I’ve gone and gotten brain scans and have early signs of CTE.”

Admission of brain damage in any capacity is usually grounds to bench a fighter, perhaps even more so now in light of “scary” reports, which is why UFC veterans like Mark Hunt and Wanderlei Silva continue to find themselves at the mercy of local athletic commissions.

#JakePaul #CTE #TrillerFightClub

[eazy]

I got CTE Bro, I'm a real fighter Bro. I'm not a Poser, please believe me Bro

[staticxtract]

Bro we already figured Jake had brain damage when Every Day Bro came out. This is old news

[charlesyu]

Currently, CTE can only be diagnosed after death through brain tissue analysis. Doctors with a specialty in brain diseases slice brain tissue and use special chemicals to make the abnormal tau protein visible. They then systematically search areas of the brain for tau in the unique pattern specific to CTE. The process can take several months to complete, and the analysis is not typically performed as a part of a normal autopsy. In fact, until recently there were relatively few doctors who knew how to diagnose CTE.

Logan Paul’s little brother doesn’t have CTE. He just literally has a weird fcking mind

[auomaic]

We’re gonna learn most athletes in contact sports all have varying levels of CTE

[Joey_]

Look doc lets cut it short. He's just gonna be dumber right?

[MMAsFather]

Looking for a way out he's scared

[PMLynch]

Can't make a diagnosis of CTE via a brain scan. Pretty sure you need an autopsy. Jake is just a drama queen.

[MSV]

Broken Tau is unlikely to spread and clump that fast to give signs of CTE. He is probably experiencing post concussion syndrome with some blood flow alterations or nerve damage.

[billyxkid]

So CTE or whatever you call it can it really mess with your brain? Cause all the cases I’ve seen ended badly

[swin]

Its probably a gray area. Again there are a lot of things we don’t know. They’re probably hyping it as CTE maybe it is, maybe its not, maybe its a milder version uncharacterized and unmeasured. I think they use a spect scan based on those images. Not really used in conventional medicine. Again lots of things we dont know. Im a doctor too.

[oldgrappler]

that dude does NOT have cte after three years of TRAINING boxing. just doesnt. I do not buy it.

[TOracle]

Every boxer has CTE. It's just more obvious in some cases. Jake Paul for example, was probably born exhibiting these symptoms. He was never quite a Rhodes scholar...

[boxpositive]

The scan took place at an Amen clinic, this was not an MRI. I don't think there is any credible evidence backing Amen's work. As a former boxer I am grateful Jake Paul has created awareness of CTE. However, I highly doubt he is experiencing symptoms of CTE, most boxers will experience some form of concussion throughout training camps and this inevitably impacts on their executive functions, short term memory and can cause some emotional lability. It is not discussed and there is very little awareness as our love for the sport masks acceptance of these problems. It seems that some are lucky to escape CTE although many experienced boxers will go on to get it later in life.

[johngun]

Lol he's full of crap, he hasn't had nearly enough fights or even years of training boxing to begin having that. Even if he sparred hard regularly for those 3 years, it is still incredibly unlikely.

I agree, I'm suspecting that he's trying to get the fight canceled.

[ro]

It's called insurance just in case he loses

[sakissakis]

As far as I know (I am not a doctor), acceleration and decceleration of the head causes TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and when a person has many TBIs, they can cause (after years) CTE. So, it is obvious that the TBIs are the result of strikes to the head (for example boxing, kick boxing, football etc). The question here is if grappling martial sports can cause the same problems. For example, during a Judo throw, there is the element of acceleration and decceleration of human body (and head), I am not talking about landing on head, I am talking about executing the right breakfall (ukemi). Is there a risk/danger and if yes, is it comparable to a strike to the head? Also, some say that a choke in BJJ can also cause similar problems (due to the lack of oxygen to the brain, especially when it is applied for an extended period of time - also it can cause stroke due to the de-attached tissue from the carod artery to the brain) . In general, is grappling more safe than striking? Thank you.

[FotoSara]

I thought CTE can only be diagnosed after Death?! At least that was my understanding.

[qntainmnt]

Jake pauls fight with askren was rigged. So it makes sense they’d let the fight happen anyway. But to be honest im somewhat surprised he was diagnosed with CTE, you have to be dead for them to make that diagnosis. And on top of that hes not a real boxer and hasnt been fighting long. He must’ve had a severe head injury before boxing that he is not disclosing.

[lemonsqueeza]

The guys only had like what 1 fight? And he’s already been diagnosed with brain damage? Think boxing may not be a sport for him....

[christinedugmore]

The actual scan used in his video was back in July 2020.