In my ongoing efforts to highlight relevant safety studies addressing combat sports,  a recent study was published in the Journal of Neurology documenting decreased brain volume with associated cognitive dysfunction in professional fighters. The recent study, titled Longitudinal MRI and Cognitive Change in Professional Fighters, is part of the Professional Fighter Brain Health study which … More Decreased Brain Volume and Cognitive Dysfunction Documented in Professional Fighters

Although not combat sports related, an important study was published last month in journal Neuroimage: Clinical revealing the rapid toll on brain structure that a short span of repeated subconcussive hits can bring. In the recent study titled “The Effect of Repetitive Subconcussive Collisions on Brain Integrity in Collegiate Football Players over a Single Football … More Study – Single Football Season Results in “Significant” Imaged Brain Changes

New York State Athletic Commission chief medical officer and practicing neurologist Dr. Sethi published an article in the latest edition of the South African Journal of Sports Medicine addressing best practices for medical stoppages of boxing bouts with the sensible conclusion that it is better to err on the side of safety. In the article, … More Neurologist – “It Is Far Better to Stop a Fight Early Rather Than Too Late.”

An interesting article was published in the latest edition of the International Journal of Pathology and Clinical Research diagnosing what is believed to be the first known case of an individual having Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy who did not have a history of concussions. In the article, titled “Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy-like Neuropathological Findings Without a History … More Adding to Complexity – CTE Found in Patient With “the Absence of any Known Head Injury”

Adding to this site’s archived combat sports safety studies a recent study was published at the University of Cambridge discussing the efficacy of MRI and Neuropsychological testing to detect early signs of brain damage in amateur boxers. In the study, titled “Advanced magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological assessment for detecting brain injury in a prospective cohort … More Study – MRI and Neuropsychological Testing “Could Not Detect any Evidence of Brain Injury”in Boxers

The California State Athletic Commission has taken a step which has received little publicity but is deserving of attention by the combative sports community.  They have produced a series of videos focusing on fighter health and safety issues, namely acute traumatic brain injury, cumulative concussions and dangers of dehydration.  With CTE being a potential reality … More California State AC Releases Series of Educational Fighter Health Videos

Adding to this site’s archived combat sports safety studies a recent study was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine addressing head injury rates in high level karate competitions. In the study, titled “Low Risk of Concussions in Top Level Karate Competitions” the authors reviewed injuries that took place in 4 consecutive karate world championships. … More Study “Low Risk of Concussions in Top-Level Karate Competition”

An article was published in the latest edition of the South African Journal of Sports Medicine levying criticism at professional boxing’s lack of standardized protocols for athletes to return to training/competition after suffering concussive injury. The article, authored by Dr. Sethi from the Department of Neurology, New York Presbyterian Hospital is titled “Post-concussion return to … More Returning to Combat Sports After Sustaining a Concussion

(Image via this PBS article) A worthwhile study was recently published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology discussing what is known and not known about CTE in athletes competing in contact sports. In the study, titled “Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in Athletes Involved with High-Impact Sports” the authors reviewed major clinical studies identifying CTE … More Of Known Cases Professional Boxers Show Most Debilitating CTE Symptoms