punch-drunk syndrome

punch-drunk syndrome

n.

A condition seen in boxers and alcoholics, caused by repeated cerebral concussions and characterized by weakness in the lower limbs, unsteadiness of gait, slowness of muscular movements, hand tremors, hesitancy of speech, and mental dullness.

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punch-drunk syndrome

Boxer's encephalopathy, dementia pugilistica Neurology A syndrome affecting 10–20% of professional boxers, which is the cumulative result of recurrent brain damage and progressive communicating hydrocephalus due to extrapyramidal and cerebellar lesions that translate into dysarthria, ataxia, tremors, pyramidal lesions–causing mental deterioration and personality changes–eg, rage reaction and morbid jealousy–'Othello syndrome'. See Boxing. Cf Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Torture, Vascular dementia.