Discovered: which sports increase the risk of dementia

Contact sports increase the risk of dementia development in athletes

As reported by TUT.AZ, psychiatrist and narcologist Ruslan Isaev told "Gazeta.Ru" about the serious neurological consequences of regular head injuries in sports.

"The so-called boxer's dementia is not a metaphor, but an official medical term denoting chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This is a progressive brain damage that occurs due to multiple head injuries, and they don't necessarily have to be severe. With regular blows to the head, especially in contact sports (boxing, kickboxing, MMA, American football, hockey), the brain experiences micro-concussions. Each individually may not manifest symptoms, but the cumulative effect triggers neurodegenerative processes. As a result, neurons die and interaction between different brain structures is disrupted," the specialist explained.

CTE usually manifests many years - sometimes even decades after the end of a sports career.

"Initially, changes are noticeable in character: irritability, hot temper, impulsivity, depressive states, and concentration problems appear. Later, memory, speech, and coordination disorders occur, and in severe stages - serious cognitive disorders similar to Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia," the doctor noted.

The risk group includes professional athletes participating in contact combat sports who receive repeated blows to the head over many years. Similar cases have also been identified in military personnel and people who have repeatedly experienced domestic injuries.

"Modern medicine cannot yet completely cure chronic traumatic encephalopathy, however, timely detection of cognitive and behavioral disorders helps slow its development and maintain the patient's quality of life," concluded Isaev.