title: The potential value of early screening for neurological deficits in participants in certain sports.
abstract: Physicians occasionally encounter the punch-drunk syndrome among boxers after longlasting careers characterized by blows to the head. The list of sports leading to punch-drunk syndrome is rapidly increasing, making it a notable public health problem. A lack of specific findings leads to defects in reporting the condition, and consequently to delay in treatment. Although the rigorous enforcement of sport rules and constant improvements of sporting equipment have decreased the occurrence of the syndrome, early detection of punch-drunk syndrome is crucial and would have comprehensive benefits. Two groups of signs and symptoms can be identified: dementia and Parkinsonism. A prompt diagnosis with a correct classification of the suspected cases is crucial. Therefore, we offer an overview of the symptomatology as well as proposing the introduction of a screening method among risk groups based on generic and minute neurological examination and dementia testing.
authors.affiliation: Rijeka University Medical Faculty, Department of Forensic Medicine and Criminalistics, and Neurology Clinic, Rijeka University Hospital, Croatia. isosa@medri.hr
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sosa
authors.forename: Ines Strenja
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Linic
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petaros
authors.forename: Andrej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Desnica
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bosnar
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013177:Sports