Objective: To develop evidence-informed, expert consensus research diagnostic criteria for Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES), the clinical disorder associated with neuropathologically diagnosed Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

Methods: A panel of 20 expert clinician-scientists in neurology, neuropsychology, psychiatry, neurosurgery, and physical medicine and rehabilitation, from 11 academic institutions, participated in a modified Delphi procedure to achieve consensus, initiated at the First NINDS Consensus Workshop to Define the Diagnostic Criteria for TES, April, 2019. Prior to consensus, panelists reviewed evidence from all published cases of CTE with neuropathological confirmation and they examined the predictive validity data on clinical features in relation to CTE pathology from a large clinicopathological study (n = 298).

Results: Consensus was achieved in 4 rounds of the Delphi procedure. Diagnosis of TES requires: 1) substantial exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI) from contact sports, military service, or other causes; 2) core clinical features of cognitive impairment (in episodic memory and/or executive functioning) and/or neurobehavioral dysregulation; 3) a progressive course; and 4) that the clinical features are not fully accounted for by any other neurologic, psychiatric, or medical conditions. For those meeting criteria for TES, functional dependence is graded on 5 levels ranging from independent to severe dementia.  A provisional level of certainty for CTE pathology is determined based on specific RHI exposure thresholds, core clinical features, functional status, and additional supportive features, including delayed onset, psychiatric dysfunction, and motor signs.

Conclusions: New consensus diagnostic criteria for TES were developed with a primary goal of facilitating future CTE research. These criteria will be revised as updated clinical and pathological information and in vivo biomarkers become available.