Is there a genetic factor in the risk for pugilistic dementia?

[elfag]

I put this in history section to get more knowledgeable responses.

It sometimes seems random who ends up with brain damage and who doesnt in boxing. Some guys like SRL and George Foreman fought into old age but seem to be doing great physically and mentally. **** SRL looks like he is 35. Others unfortunately have been less lucky.

I was on boxrec and reading on Jerry Quarry and was surprised read that all 3 brothers who boxed suffered from dementia and parkisons while the 4th brother who never boxed seems to be living a normal life.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Q...mental_decline

This got me thinking there may be a genetic link thats yet unknown which causes greater risks for pugilistic dementia in certain people.

What are your thoughts?

[PLATE]

All craniums vary somewhat in thickness and strength, which would explain why some fighters can die as a result of one good shot while others (like George Chuvalo) can walk away from a lifetime of blows to the head relatively unaffected. I would guess the thickness of one's skull (or lack thereof) would be an inherited condition.