To detect CTE while alive, a test for another brain disease may help

An Alzheimer's biomarker might ID a condition associated with head trauma in contact sports

Two soccer players are going after the ball with their heads. They look close to bonking heads as the soccer ball is just overhead.

Repeated head impacts, like from heading a soccer ball, have been linked to increase risk of CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/Getty Images

LONDON — A protein marker of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain may also help diagnose cases of the brain condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, early data suggest.