According to a new study, people who have had a history of traumatic brain injury, otherwise known as TBI, have an increased risk for developing some type of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. The research indicates it may accelerate the onset of the disease by about four years.
TBI and Dementia
Dementia is a general term that may include multiple diseases. All have one thing in common – they include a decline in mental ability. This decline is serious enough that it interferes with their ability to act and interact in daily life as it progresses. One of the most well-known conditions under the term dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.
The causes of dementia can vary but all are triggered by abnormal changes in the brain. They result in a loss of cognitive skills or the ability to think. The loss also impacts the person’s feelings, behaviors and even their relationships with others.
A TBI is caused by a sudden impact to the head. It can happen from a fall or car accident as well as other situations where the person hits their head. A person who experiences a TBI may lose consciousness even for only a few seconds. They may suffer from other symptoms:
- Confusion
- Trouble speaking clearly
- Unable to recall the event that caused the TBI
- Difficulty learning or remembering new information
- Lack of coordination
- Difficulty seeing clearly
- Trouble hearing or ringing in the ears
- Unsteady when walking or standing
A TBI can cause issues even years later when the person seems to have recovered from the injury. A doctor will label a TBI as mild, moderate or severe based on various factors, including how long they were unconscious and severity of other symptoms. However, it is important to understand that even a mild TBI can have serious effects that are long-lasting.
Mild to Severe TBIs
A mild TBI is known as a concussion and it doesn’t result in unconsciousness at all or for more than 30 minutes. The person may experience dizziness or a headache, nausea and confusion, but the symptoms go away in a few hours or days. However, in some cases, they can last for several months.
A moderate TBI causes unconsciousness that lasts between 30 minutes and 24 hours with a severe TBI being over 24 hours of unconsciousness. They have the same symptoms as the mild version, only stronger and may last longer.
The ability to learn new information or remember things and to pay attention are symptoms that can be long-lasting or permanent from a TBI. The person may have difficulty organizing their thoughts or being able to create a plan.
Research in the past had linked moderate to severe TBIs with dementia. New research shows that even a mild TBI or repeated mild TBIs may result in an increased risk for developing some type of dementia. Research shows that a protein seen in Alzheimer’s patients is evident within hours of a mild TBI event. Not everyone who has a TBI will develop dementia, but it is important to be aware of the risk.