How dangerous is boxing for the brain?

It is not known how often the microhemorrhages occur in boxers. They may eventually lead to the destruction of brain cells and deficits such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease. This hypothesis is shared by some working groups. The three boxers in whom changes were found typically had the changes in the frontal or temporal lobes, where the shear forces of blows are strongest.

A follow-up study will compare amateur boxers with professionals

One disadvantage of the “Heidelberg Boxing Study” was the great range in duration and intensity of amateur boxing. Duration ranged from one to 25 years and intensity from one to 375 bouts with 0 to 12 knockouts. A follow-up study is planned to include professional boxers, in order to assess intensive exposure to blows. The Heidelberg researchers are currently looking for funding for this study.

References:

Hähnel S, Stippich C, Weber I, Darm H, Schill T, Jost J, Friedmann B, Heiland S, Blatow M, Meyding-Lamadé U: Prevalence of Cerebral Microhemorrhages in Amateur Boxers as detected by 3-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Am J Neuroradiol 29 (2): 388-391 (2008)

(The original article may be requested from the press office of the University of Heidelberg Medical Center at .)

Additional material:

Blennow K, Popa C, Rasulzada A, et al. There is strong evidence that professional boxing results in chronic brain damage. The more head punches during a boxer's career, the bigger is the risk. Lakartidningen 102 (36): 2468-70, 2472-5 (2005)

Unterharnscheidt F. A neurologist's reflections on boxing. I: Impact mechanics in boxing and injuries other than central nervous system damage. Rev Neurol 23 (121): 661-74 (1995).

Contact persons

Professor Dr. Stefan Hähnel
Senior Consultant, Div. of Neuroradiology
Department of Radiology, University of Heidelberg Medical Center
Tel.: 06221 / 56 39 608
E-mail:

Professor Dr. Uta Meyding-Lamadé
Krankenhaus Nordwest
Steinbacher Hohl 2 - 26
60488 Frankfurt am Main
E-Mail:

Selected english press releases online: http://www.klinikum.uni-heidelberg.de/presse