Examining Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in Professional Boxers

The competitive nature of professional boxing plays an integral role in the longevity of the sport throughout earlier civilization to the modern-day era. The pivotal key in the success of boxing is the unpredictability of what each match entails, which often triggers excitement to highly devoted fans. Nonetheless, there are serious hazards associated with professional boxing (e.g., brain atrophy, and neurological and cognitive impairments). As a matter of fact, most fatalities in the ring are usually due to brain injuries such as brain hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, and brain contusions (Ryan, 1998). In hopes to witness a huge decline in head-injuries, several medical societies have consistently urged the banning of this sport. In this analysis, I will 1) examine the potential dangers of professional boxing; 2) explore the etiology, and the prevalence of CTE in professional boxers and lastly, 3) conduct a comprehensive analysis of two opposing views regarding professional boxing (i. e., to ban, or not to ban?); One of the most serious public health concerns in modern-day boxing is the development of a progressive disease known as the Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) (aka â€Å"dementia pugilistica† or â€Å"the punch-drunk effect.†). It has been estimated that CTE occurs in 20% of professional boxers (Zetterberg et al, 2006). The theory behind the frequent occurrence of CTE in professional boxers is due to the accumulated effects of multiple head trauma to the brain (e.g., mild-concussions) which may lead to permanent and irreversible brain damage. It has been known that those professional boxers with more extensive history of boxing matches are more likely to experience severe CTE. Casson et al., (1982) examined ten professional ... ...ts of Boxing. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Levin, H.S., Eisenberg, H.M., Benton, A.L. (1989). Mild Head Injury. Oxford University Press Matthew R. Potter, Ashley J. Snyder, Gary A. Smith, Boxing Injuries Presenting to U.S. Emergency Departments, 1990–2008, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Volume 40, Issue 4, April 2011, Pages 462-467, ISSN 0749-3797, 10.1016/j.amepre.2010.12.018.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0749379711000341) McKee, A.C., Cantu, R.C.,Nowinski, C.J., Hedley-Whyte, T., Gavett, B.E., Budson, A.E., Santini, V.E., Lee, H.S., Kubilus, C.A., Stern, R.A. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in Athletes: Progressive Tauopathy After Repetitive Head Injury. 2009. Boston, MA: Neuropathology Neurol. Roberts, G.W., Allsop, D., Bruton, C. The occult aftermath of boxing. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1990 May; 53(5): 373–378.