No neurochemical evidence for brain injury caused by heading in soccer.

Background: The possible injurious effect to the brain of heading in soccer is a matter of discussion.

Objective: To determine whether standardised headings in soccer are associated with increased levels of biochemical markers for neuronal injury in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum.

Methods: 23 male amateur soccer players took part in a heading training session involving heading a ball kicked from a distance of 30 m at least 10 m forward.

Neurochemical aftermath of amateur boxing.

Background: Little solid information is available on the possible risks for neuronal injury in amateur boxing.

Objective: To determine whether amateur boxing and severity of hits are associated with elevated levels of biochemical markers for neuronal injury in cerebrospinal fluid.

Design: Longitudinal study.

[There is a strong evidence that professional boxing results in chronic brain damage. The more head punches during a boxer's career, the bigger is the risk].

The clinical symptomatology and pathogenic mechanisms of chronic traumatic brain injury associated with boxing (CTBI-B) is reviewed. This syndrome is also known as punch drunk syndrome or dementia pugilistica. Since even milder forms of CTBI-B are rare among amateur boxers, we make a distinction between amateur and professional boxing throughout the review.