“Punch-drunk syndrome” and the history of contact sports and brain damage
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, was previously known as dementia pugilistica or “punch-drunk syndrome” for its association with former boxers demonstrating declining ability, memory loss, and lack of coordination. The hallmark risk factor that separates the syndrome from other tauopathies and dementias is repeated trauma to the head, otherwise known as traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs. It’s this repeated trauma where things become an issue for contact sports.
“Punch-drunk syndrome” and the history of contact sports and brain damage
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, was previously known as dementia pugilistica or “punch-drunk syndrome” for its association with former boxers demonstrating declining ability, memory loss, and lack of coordination. The hallmark risk factor that separates the syndrome from other tauopathies and dementias is repeated trauma to the head, otherwise known as traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs. It’s this repeated trauma where things become an issue for contact sports.
The History of EEGs
The field of electroencephalography began with the discovery of recordable electrical potentials from animals in the late 19th century, and in the 1920s, a neuropsychiatrist from Germany, Dr. Hans Berger, recorded the first potentials from human patients and created the procedure we know as the EEG.
The Vagus Nerve: An explainer of the tenth cranial nerve and its clinical implications
Vagus nerve stimulation is a treatment that has been occasionally used to treat epilepsy, treatment-resistant depression, and even Alzheimer’s dementia. Are you familiar with this unusual treatment? Are you familiar with the vagus nerve? Though it’s not commonly known, it’s a critical part of your nervous system and has many potential clinical implications. Let’s chat about the vagus nerve and vagus nerve stimulation, but first, some background and context.
How To Remove Adhesive After An EEG
During an EEG, your scalp will be prepped with gel and adhesive applied to the electrodes so they can stay in place during the test. Medical glues can be difficult to remove, so to avoid pain and tears, here are some tips on getting the pesky goo out of your hair.
Considering the unseen links to Alzheimer’s: Gingivitis
According to the Alzheimer Association’s annual report Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, “an estimated 6.2 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2021.” This number is expected to more than double to 12.7 million by the year 2050.
Missed appointments aren’t just missed appointments: They’re missed opportunities for early detection
There are perfectly reasonable explanations for why people are missing or canceling appointments, but these canceled appointments aren’t just missed appointments: they’re missed opportunities to detect conditions where there is an understanding that early detection can help patients maintain a higher quality of life for a longer period of time.