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Dementia pugilistica with clinical features of Alzheimer's disease
Renata Areza-Fegyveres1, Sergio Rosemberg, Rosa Maria R P S Castro
1Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology Unit, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Rua Oscar Freire 1702/44, 05409-011 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. renataareza@yahoo.com.br
Abstract:
A 61-year-old ex-boxer presented with a three-year history of progressive memory decline. During a seven-year follow-up period, there was a continuous cognitive decline, very similar to that usually observed in Alzheimer's disease. Parkinsonian, pyramidal or cerebellar signs were conspicuously absent. Neuropathological examination revealed the typical features of dementia pugilistica: cavum septi pellucidi with multiple fenestrations, numerous neurofibrillary tangles in the cerebral isocortex and hippocampus (and rare senile plaques). Immunohistochemistry disclosed a high number of tau protein deposits and scarce beta-amyloid staining. This case shows that dementia pugilistica may present with clinical features practically undistinguishable from Alzheimer's disease.
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