Boxing and chronic brain damage.

Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, 1979

The purpose of the present study was to reveal possible neurological sequelae of amateur boxing after the introduction of modem medical supervision and safety precautions.

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 1987

Twenty active amateur boxers were studied seeking evidence of neurological dysfunction and, if present, the best method for detecting it. Seven of these boxers had an abnormal clinical neurological examination, eight an abnormal EEG and nine of 15 examined had abnormal neuropsychometry. The CT scan was abnormal in only one. An abnormal clinical examination correlated significantly (p < 005) with an increasing number of fights, and an abnormal EEG with decreasing age (p < 0O05). In several of the neuropsychometric tests, the boxers were significantly worse than controls (p < O O5). Neuropsychometry was the best method for detecting neurological dysfunction.

BMJ, 2007

Objective To evaluate the risk of chronic traumatic brain injury from amateur boxing. Setting Secondary research performed by combination of sport physicians and clinical academics. Design, data sources, and methods Systematic review of observational studies in which chronic traumatic brain injury was defined as any abnormality on clinical neurological examination, psychometric testing, neuroimaging studies, and electroencephalography. Studies were identified through database (1950 to date) and bibliographic searches without language restrictions. Two reviewers extracted study characteristics, quality, and data, with adherence to a protocol developed from a widely recommended method for systematic review of observational studies (MOOSE). Results 36 papers had relevant extractable data (from a detailed evaluation of 93 studies of 943 identified from the initial search). Quality of evidence was generally poor. The best quality studies were those with a cohort design and those that used psychometric tests. These yielded the most negative results: only four of 17 (24%) better quality studies found any indication of chronic traumatic brain injury in a minority of boxers studied. Conclusion There is no strong evidence to associate chronic traumatic brain injury with amateur boxing.

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 2009

Boxing has held appeal for many athletes and audiences for centuries, and injuries have been part of boxing since its inception. Although permanent and irreversible neurologic dysfunction does not occur in the majority of participants, an association has been reported between the number of bouts fought and the development of neurologic, psychiatric, or histopathological signs and symptoms of encephalopathy in boxers. The purpose of this paper is to (i) provide clinical neuropsychologists, other health-care professionals, and the general public with information about the potential neuropsychological consequences of boxing, and (ii) provide recommendations to improve safety standards for those who participate in the sport.

Alzheimer's Research & Therapy, 2013

Boxing and other combat sports may serve as a human model to study the eff ects of repetitive head trauma on brain structure and function. The initial description of what is now known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) was reported in boxers in 1928. In the ensuing years, studies examining boxers have described the clinical features of CTE, its relationship to degree of exposure to fi ghting, and an array of radiologic fi ndings. The fi eld has been hampered by issues related to study design, lack of longitudinal follow-up, and absence of agreed-upon clinical criteria for CTE. A recently launched prospective cohort study of professional fi ghters, the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study, attempts to overcome some of the problems in studying fi ghters. Here, we review the cross-sectional results from the fi rst year of the project.

2015

The results showed that the temperature of the incoming feed, the concentration of Amin used the height of the column of adsorption and desorption, and etc. are effective to reduce energy consumption and increase the retrieval amount of carbon dioxide. Background and goal: Amateur boxing has for a long time attracted athletes and boxing fans. But no accurate information exists regarding the neuropsychological complications of this sport. On this basis, the present study has compared the neuropsychological disorders of professional and amateur boxers. Methodology: Two groups of amateur boxers with identical sports background, height, weight and age, one of whom (N=20) had at least one year experience of national team membership and the other group (N=20) had no experience of national team membership, were compared with 40 non-athletic men. To understand mental disorder, physician interview was used. Then, the tests of Wisconsin, Bonardele, Bender-Gestalt, KARAD visual memory, Benton,...

Despite increased interest regarding the potentially long-term negative impact of chronic traumatic brain injury, limited research has been conducted regarding such injuries and neurological outcomes in real world settings. To increase understanding regarding the relationship between sparring (e.g., training under the tutelage of an experienced boxing coach for the purpose of improving skills and/or fitness) and neurological functioning, professional boxers (n = 237) who competed in Maryland between 2003 and 2008 completed measures regarding sparring exposure (Cumulative Sparring Index, CSI) and performance on tests of cognition (Symbol Digit Modalities Test, SDMT) and balance (Sharpened Romberg Test, SRT). Measures were completed prior to boxing matches. Higher scores on the CSI (increased sparring exposure) were associated with poorer performance on both tests of cognition (SDMT) and balance (SRT). A threshold effect was noted regarding performance on the SDMT, with those reporting CSI values greater than about 150 experiencing a decline in cognition. A history of frequent and/or intense sparring may pose a significant risk for developing boxing associated neurological sequelae. Implementing administration of clinically meaningful tests before bouts, such as the CSI, SDMT, and/or the SRT, as well as documentation of results into the boxer's physicals or medical profiles may be an important step for improving boxing safety.

Archives of neurology, 2006

Background: Little solid information is available on the possible risks for neuronal injury in amateur boxing. Objective: To determine whether amateur boxing and severity of hits are associated with elevated levels of biochemical markers for neuronal injury in cerebrospinal fluid.

Medical Hypotheses, 2011

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.

American Journal of Archaeology, 1999

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