NFL player autopsy shines light on CTE

The release of the autopsy results for former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez has renewed questions about CTE-related deaths and safety in football, leading to research on the disease and changes in the sport.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is a neurodegenerative disease that scientists believe is caused by repeated brain trauma. The trauma causes tau proteins to form depositions in the brain, which spread and kill brain cells.

Joel Morgenlander, a professor of neurology and orthopaedic surgery at Duke University, said there is no definitive answer to what causes CTE.

“Defining the disease is still a process,” he said. “There’s not even a distinct test to diagnose CTE.”

He said diagnosis…