Global CTE Summit 2026

February 2, 2026 | San Francisco, Calif.
Theme: Caring for Patients with Suspected CTE

Hosted By

About the Conference

We invite you to join distinguished clinicians and researchers along with football legends and their families at the first Global Summit on CTE.
We do not yet know how many people are living with CTE, but researchers believe the number could be significant. Out of more than 400 former NFL players studied after death, more than 90% have had CTE. CTE continues to be diagnosed post-mortem in former high school football players, and there are more than 20 million men alive right now in the U.S. who have played.
The focus of the summit is Caring for Patients with Suspected CTE and programing will cover real-world care strategies, emerging diagnostics, and the lived experience of NFL players and their families. Participants will learn about all aspects of CTE, including its pathology, genetics, biomarkers, imaging, clinical syndromes, clinical criteria, differential diagnosis, impact on families, and what it is like to live with suspected CTE.
The summit is organized by the Concussion Legacy Foundation with the content developed in collaboration with the Boston University CTE Center and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences Memory and Aging Center.
Hosted on the UCSF Mission Bay campus, it is designed for clinicians, researchers, and advocates working to improve outcomes for those impacted by brain trauma, as well as suspected CTE patients and their families.

Conference Information

Target Audience

Conference Steering Committee

Conference Information

Conference Information

Target Audience

Conference Steering Committee

Conference Information

Monday, February 2, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM 
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) 
6.75 CME Credits | In-Person Event

Organized by the Concussion Legacy Foundation in collaboration with the Boston University CTE Center (BU) and University of California, San Francisco Memory and Aging Center (UCSF).

Target Audience

  • Physicians, neuropsychologists, psychologists and other clinicians
  • Neuroscience and public health researchers
  • Individuals at-risk for CTE and their families
  • Former NFL, college and high school football players and their families
  • Media professionals

Conference Steering Committee

  • Michael Alosco, PhD – Associate Professor of Neurology at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine; Co-Director of Clinical Research, BU CTE Center. 
  • Robert Cantu, MD – Co-founder and Medical Director, Concussion Legacy Foundation.  
  • Ann McKee, MD – William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor of Neurology and Pathology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine; Director, BU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center & BU CTE Center.  
  • Gil Rabinovici, MD – Edward and Pearl Fein Distinguished Professorship in Memory & Aging, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine.

Agenda

Session 1: Updates on CTE Pathology

Session 2: Advances in CTE Diagnosis in Life

Session 3: Treating Patients with Suspected CTE

Session 4: CTE and Public Health

Session 5: Lived Experiences and Voices from At-Risk Populations

Session 6: Future of CTE: Prevention & Clinical Trials

Session 1: Updates on CTE Pathology

Session 1: Updates on CTE Pathology

Session 2: Advances in CTE Diagnosis in Life

Session 3: Treating Patients with Suspected CTE

Session 4: CTE and Public Health

Session 5: Lived Experiences and Voices from At-Risk Populations

Session 6: Future of CTE: Prevention & Clinical Trials

Session 1: Updates on CTE Pathology

Speakers
Ann McKee, MD, William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor of Neurology & Pathology, Boston University; Director, BU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center & BU CTE Center

Dan Daneshvar, MD, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School; Chief of Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Network

Michael Buckland, MD, Director, Australian Sports Brain Bank

Session 2: Advances in CTE Diagnosis in Life

Speakers
Jesse Mez, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology, Boston University

Gil Rabinovici, MD, Edward and Pearl Fein Distinguished Professor, UCSF

Nicholas Ashton, PhD, Senior Director, Fluid Biomarker Program, Banner Research

Robert Turner II, PhD, Associate Professor, Population Health Sciences, Duke University

Michael Alosco, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurology, Boston University; Co-Director of Clinical Research, BU CTE Center

Session 3: Treating Patients with Suspected CTE

Speakers
Jeremy Tanner, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, UT Health San Antonio

Erika Driver-Dunckley, MD, Professor of Neurology & Chair, Movement Disorders Division, Mayo Clinic

Case vignettes panel with all clinicians

Session 4: CTE and Public Health

Speaker
Richard Carmona, MD, 17th Surgeon General of the United States

Session 5: Lived Experiences and Voices from At-Risk Populations

Speakers
Warren Sapp, Pro Football Hall of Famer

Matt Hasselbeck, Former NFL Quarterback, Three-Time Pro Bowler

More speakers to be announced.

Session 6: Future of CTE: Prevention & Clinical Trials

Speakers
Jeffrey Cummings, MD, Joy Chambers-Grundy Professor of Brain Science, UNLV

Adam White, Co-Founder, Director of Brain Health, Professional Footballers’ Association

Robert Cantu, MD, Co-Founder & Medical Director, Concussion Legacy Foundation

Chris Nowinski, PhD, Co-Founder & CEO, Concussion Legacy Foundation

Continuing Education Information

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and the Concussion Legacy Foundation. Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 

Attendees will be eligible to claim: 

6.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (for physicians)
6.75 APA CE credits (for psychologists) 

Physicians
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Psychologists
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Barry Manuel Continuing Medical Education Office is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0181.

Note:  NYS psychologists must attend all sessions for credit. Partial credit is not allowed.

The Department’s approval of a provider of continuing education does not constitute the Department’s endorsement of the content, positions or practices that may be addressed in any specific continuing education course offered by the approved provider.

Instructions for claiming credit will be provided at the event and in post-conference materials. 

Speakers

Michael Alosco, PhD

Associate Professor of Neurology, Boston University; Co-Director of Clinical Research, BU CTE Center
Michael Alosco, PhD, is a clinical neuropsychologist and Associate Professor of Neurology at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School...
Read Bio

Robert Cantu, MD

Co-Founder & Medical Director, Concussion Legacy Foundation
Currently Dr. Cantu’s professional responsibilities include those of Medical Director and Director of Clinical Research, Dr. Robert C. Cantu Concus...
Read Bio

Ann McKee, MD

William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor of Neurology & Pathology, Boston University; Dir...
Ann McKee, MD, William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor of Neurology and Pathology at Boston University, is a board-certified neurologist a...
Read Bio

Gil Rabinovici, MD

Edward and Pearl Fein Distinguished Professor, UCSF
Gil Rabinovici, MD, is the Edward and Pearl Fein Distinguished Professor in the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Departments of Neurol...
Read Bio

Nicholas Ashton, PhD

Senior Director, Fluid Biomarker Program, Banner Research
Nicholas Ashton, PhD, is Senior Director of the Fluid Biomarker Program at Banner Research, where he leads efforts to advance cerebrospinal fluid a...
Read Bio

Michael Buckland, MD

Director, Australian Sports Brain Bank
Michael Buckland, MD, is a senior neuropathologist and the Head of the Department of Neuropathology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. He i...
Read Bio

Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS

17th Surgeon General of the United States
Born to a poor immigrant family in New York City, Richard Carmona experienced homelessness, hunger, and health disparities during his youth. The ex...
Read Bio

Jeffrey Cummings, MD

Joy Chambers-Grundy Professor of Brain Science, UNLV
Jeffrey Cummings, MD, ScD(HC), is the Joy Chambers-Grundy Professor of Brain Science and Director of the Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative ...
Read Bio

Daniel Daneshvar, MD, PhD

Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School; Chief of Bra...
Dan Daneshvar, MD, PhD, serves as Chief of Brain Injury Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, Co-Director of Sports Concussion at Mass General ...
Read Bio

Erika Driver-Dunckley, MD

Professor of Neurology & Chair, Movement Disorders Division, Mayo Clinic
Erika Driver-Dunckley, MD, FAAN, is a Professor of Neurology and Chair of the Movement Disorders Division in the Department of Neurology at Mayo Cl...
Read Bio

Matt Hasselbeck

Former NFL Quarterback, Three-Time Pro Bowler
Matt Hasselbeck is a former Pro Bowl quarterback who spent 18 seasons in the NFL. A Boston College graduate, Hasselbeck was selected by Green Bay i...
Read Bio

Jesse Mez, MD

Associate Professor of Neurology, Boston University
Jesse Mez, MD, MS, is an Associate Professor of Neurology at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. He is Associate Direct...
Read Bio

Chris Nowinski, PhD

Co-Founder & CEO, Concussion Legacy Foundation
Chris Nowinski, PhD, is co-founder and CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization leading the fight against concussions and...
Read Bio

Warren Sapp

Pro Football Hall of Famer
Warren Sapp is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and former NFL defensive tackle who played 13 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders...
Read Bio

Jeremy Tanner, MD

Assistant Professor of Neurology, UT Health San Antonio
Jeremy Tanner, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San An...
Read Bio

Robert Turner II, PhD

Associate Professor, Population Health Sciences, Duke University
Robert Turner II, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences and has an appointment in the Duke Aging Center at...
Read Bio

Adam White

Director of Brain Health, Professional Footballers' Association
Dr Adam J. White is an experienced leader in Sport and Health. He currently holds the position of Director of Brain Health and the Professional Foo...
Read Bio

Additional Information

Registration

Travel

Media

Sponsorship Opportunities

Contact

Registration

Registration

Travel

Media

Sponsorship Opportunities

Contact

Registration

Please click or tap here to register for the event.

Travel

University of California, San Francisco 

William J Rutter Center at UCSF Mission Bay 

1675 Owens St, San Francisco, CA 94158 

Hotel Block: Hotel accommodations are still being finalized, and a discounted hotel block is available for booking at that time.

Parking and public transportation details will be shared before the event.

Media

Media members are welcome to attend the Global CTE Summit free of charge. Those interested should email Julia Manning at [email protected].

Sponsorship Opportunities

We welcome sponsors who are committed to improving the lives of those affected by CTE. Sponsors will receive recognition on the event website and signage at the conference. 

To learn more about sponsorship levels and benefits, contact Director of Development Tia Sneath at [email protected].

Contact

For questions about the conference or registration: [email protected] 

For questions about continuing education credits: [email protected] 

For media inquiries: [email protected] 

For sponsorship: [email protected]

FAQs

Is this conference open to the public?

The event is geared toward clinicians, researchers, and football families, but all interested attendees are welcome.

Will there be a virtual option?

Yes, virtual options with and without CME credit are available via our registration page.

Are meals included?

Yes, lunch and refreshments will be provided to all registered attendees. 

How do I claim my CME/APA credit?

You’ll receive instructions during and after the event on how to claim credit. 

About the Concussion Legacy Foundation

The Concussion Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity based in the United States with chapters in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It was founded by Robert Cantu, MD, and Chris Nowinski, PhD to support athletes, veterans and all affected by concussions and CTE, to promote smarter sports and safer athletes through education and innovation, and End CTE through prevention and research. CLF is a proud supporter of and collaborator with the Boston University CTE Center.