Dementia pugilistica with clinical features of Alzheimer's disease.
A 61-year-old ex-boxer presented with a three-year history of progressive memory decline. During a seven-year follow-up period, there was a continuous cognitive decline, very similar to that usually observed in Alzheimer's disease. Parkinsonian, pyramidal or cerebellar signs were conspicuously absent. Neuropathological examination revealed the typical features of dementia pugilistica: cavum septi pellucidi with multiple fenestrations, numerous neurofibrillary tangles in the cerebral isocortex and hippocampus (and rare senile plaques). Immunohistochemistry disclosed a high number of tau protein deposits and scarce beta-amyloid staining. This case shows that dementia pugilistica may present with clinical features practically undistinguishable from Alzheimer's disease.
Areza-Fegyveres
Renata
R
Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Rua Oscar Freire 1702/44, 05409-011 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. renataareza@yahoo.com.br
Rosemberg
Sergio
S
Castro
Rosa Maria R P S
RM
Porto
Claudia Sellitto
CS
Bahia
Valéria Santoro
VS
Caramelli
Paulo
P
Nitrini
Ricardo
R
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001914:Boxing / Q000293:injuries*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged