In Justin's trial, his 20 years of football, 25+ concussions, and 20K subconcussive hits were not allowed to be considered by the Judge or or Jury in evaluating his mental health at the time of the incident which has him serving time. 

Here are the observable and symptomatic conditions provided to DRDC at intake and recommendations for care based on current expert examination of Justin and input:

Due to the progressive nature of his condition, Definite Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy -CTE (stage 3)/ TES it is imperative that continual and ongoing monitoring and supportive care is performed to assess his mental, cognitive, and physical health.

A summary of Mr. Bannan's history with this condition is as follows:

Met cognitive impairment criteria (headaches, history of concussions, over 30,000 sub-concussive hits, head pressure, memory issues, behavioral changes and issues. Per the Boston University CTE Research Center, the risk of CTE doubles with each 5.3 years of play for football players, Mr. Bannan has (19) years of participation.  Presentation of symptoms is often decades after the brain injury incident(s) which is a hallmark indicator of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), Mr. Bannan exhibited an increase in symptoms over the last (4) years which corresponds with the median age range for CTE which is 40-50 years old.  

Extensive exposure to contact/collision sport: 11 years as defensive tackle in the NFL (2002-2013), 5 years University of Colorado, 4 years high school (Bella Vista)

Exhibits psychiatric features of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy including:

·       Feeling sad or down

·       Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate

·       Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt

·       Extreme mood changes of highs and lows

·       Withdrawal from friends and activities

·       Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping

·       Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations

·       Inability to cope with daily problems or stress

·       Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people

·       Problems with alcohol or drug use

·       Major changes in eating habits

·       Sex drive changes

·       Excessive anger, hostility or violence

·       Suicidal thinking

·       Amygdala Hi-jack: fight or flight response impaired due to damage which will cause a disproportional response to triggers 

Neurobehavioral Dysregulation including: paranoia, explosive anger, severe depression, anxiety

Mr. Bannan also demonstrates signs of early dementia and some motor skill and balance and has a shunt in place to relieve spinal fluid from his brain due to traumatic brain injury, all of which are not typical for a male of 43 yrs. old. 

Although currently CTE cannot be definitively determined in the living through a diagnostic test, there are criteria set forth based on the above areas which Mr. Bannan meet that correspond with Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES) when combined with neuropathological criteria for CTE shall be determined to be TES with definite CTE for clinical purposes of treatment and care.