[There is a strong evidence that professional boxing results in chronic brain damage. The more head punches during a boxer's career, the bigger is the risk].
The clinical symptomatology and pathogenic mechanisms of chronic traumatic brain injury associated with boxing (CTBI-B) is reviewed. This syndrome is also known as punch drunk syndrome or dementia pugilistica. Since even milder forms of CTBI-B are rare among amateur boxers, we make a distinction between amateur and professional boxing throughout the review. Focus is also set on the interesting similarities in neurochemical changes and pathogenic mechanisms between CTBI-B, acute traumatic brain injury (e.g. road traffic accidents) and Alzheimer's disease.
Blennow
Kaj
K
Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap, Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset/Mölndal, Sweden. kaj.blennow@neuro.gu.se
Popa
Cornel
C
Rasulzada
Abdullah
A
Minthon
Lennart
L
Wallin
Anders
A
Zetterberg
Henrik
H
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001914:Boxing / Q000293:injuries*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D020208:Brain Injury, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013577:Syndrome; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed