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The occult aftermath of boxing
Roberts GW, Allsop D, Bruton C.. Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry, 1990-05-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
The repeated head trauma experienced by boxers can lead to the development of dementia pugilistica (DP)--punch drunk syndrome. The neuropathology of DP in a classic report by Corsellis et al describes the presence of numerous neurofibrillary tangles in the absence of plaques, in contrast to the profusion of tangles and plaques seen in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The DP cases used in that report were re-investigated with immunocytochemical methods and an antibody raised to the beta-protein present in AD plaques. We found that all DP cases with substantial tangle formation showed evidence of extensive beta-protein immunoreactive deposits (plaques). These diffuse "plaques" were not visible with Congo-red or standard silver stains. The degree of beta-protein deposition was comparable to that seen in AD. Our data indicate that the present neuropathological description of DP (tangles but no plaques) should be altered to acknowledge the presence of substantial beta-protein deposition (plaques). The molecular markers present in the plaques and tangles of DP are the same as those in AD. Similarities in clinical symptoms, distribution of pathology and neurochemical deficits also exist. Epidemiological studies have shown that head injury is a risk factor in AD. It is probable that DP and AD share common pathogenic mechanisms leading to tangle and plaque formation.
Key findings
- We found that all DP cases with substantial tangle formation showed evidence of extensive beta-protein immunoreactive deposits (plaques).
- Our data indicate that the present neuropathological description of DP (tangles but no plaques) should be altered to acknowledge the presence of substantial beta-protein deposition (plaques).
- Epidemiological studies have shown that head injury is a risk factor in AD.
Why it matters
Re-examining brains of boxers with dementia pugilistica, researchers found extensive beta-protein deposits (plaques) that standard stains had missed, similar to those in Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests boxing-related dementia and Alzheimer's may share mechanisms, and notes that head injury is a risk factor for Alzheimer's, but it reports no treatment or cure.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 43/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it. We have no data on institution's track record, so that was left out: it earned 42 of the 97 points we could judge it on, which is 43 out of 100.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry: journal h-index 336 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 1990 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 522 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 13.7 citations a year over 38 year(s) since 1990 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 11.5× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 3 / 6 | Cited by 20 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 10 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author C.J. Bruton: h-index 19 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | — / 3 | No institution listed in OpenAlex — left out of this score |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 0 institution(s) in 0 countries — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 2191084) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Points | 42 / 97 | Scored on 19 of 20 parts. We have no data for the rest, so they are left out: 42 of the 97 points we could judge it on is 43 out of 100. |
| Total | 43 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Roberts, G. W., Allsop, D., & Bruton, C. (1990). The occult aftermath of boxing. Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.53.5.373
Vancouver
Roberts GW, Allsop D, Bruton C. The occult aftermath of boxing. Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry. 1990. doi:10.1136/jnnp.53.5.373. PMID: 2191084.
BibTeX
@article{roberts1990-2191084,
author = {Roberts, G. W. and Allsop, D. and Bruton, C.},
title = {{The occult aftermath of boxing}},
journal = {Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry},
year = {1990},
doi = {10.1136/jnnp.53.5.373},
pmid = {2191084},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.53.5.373}
}
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