Study Shows Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries Lead to Alzheimer’s

According to the Traumatic Brain Injury Law Blog, a new study shows that older veterans who have sustained a mild brain injury were likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related diseases later in life. There was a high rate of mild cognitive impairment, or “pre-Alzheimer’s,” in retired pro-football players who suffered from multiple concussions during their careers.

The study’s findings negate older reports which stated that only moderate or severe brain injuries led to dementia. The study raises concerns for current service men and women who have suffered from explosions in recent years.

Over the next seven years, more than 15 percent of those who had suffered a brain injury were diagnosed with dementia versus only 7 percent of the others – a more than doubled risk. Severity of the injury made no difference in the odds of developing dementia.

The importance of proper treatment following any head injury cannot be stressed enough. The fact is that brain injuries, even mild ones, can cause life-long damage that will impair your quality of life.

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