The neuroanatomical relationship of Dementia Pugilistica and Alzheimer’s Disease

Dementia Pugilistica is a neurodegenerative disorder commonly attributed to the sport of boxing. More commonly referred to as ‘punch drunk syndrome’, it is most often caused by repetitive trauma to the brain. Symptoms of Dementia Pugilistica include a wide-range of motor disturbances and cognitive difficulties. The most prevalent and identifiable pathological characteristic of Dementia Pugilistica is amyloid plaque deposition and subsequent neurofibrillary tangle formation, which are indistinguishable to those seen in Alzheimer’s disease. Although Dementia Pugilistica and Alzheimer’s disease do not share similar etiologies, there is considerable overlap in the developmental processes and progression and potentially treatment.