Traumatic brain injury in your 20s may increase dementia, Alzheimer’s risk in your 50s

Men with traumatic brain injury histories had slightly higher rate of developing dementia (30 per cent vs. 19 per cent) than women.

By: Agencies | | Published: April 11, 2018 4:06 pm

Sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBT) in your 20s may increase the risk of developing dementia including Alzheimer’s in your 50s by 60 per cent, a review of nearly three million patients has revealed. The findings, published in journal The Lancet Psychiatry, showed that men with traumatic brain injury histories had slightly higher rate of developing dementia (30 per cent vs. 19 per cent) than women.

Dementia affects 47 million people worldwide, a number expected to double in the next 20 years. Every year, more than 50 million people worldwide experience a TBI, which occurs when an external force disrupts the brain’s normal function. Leading causes include falls, motor vehicle accidents, and assaults.

For the study, the team examined 2.8 million people, and followed-up for 36 years.

While not every person who sustains a severe TBI will develop dementia, the findings might such people to change their behaviours toward potential risk factors for dementia, such as limiting alcohol and tobacco use, engaging in regular exercise, preventing obesity and treating hypertension, diabetes and depression, the researchers said.

“If someone has a traumatic brain injury or concussion, they need to strictly follow the protocols to leave the game and get the proper assessment and treatment that is necessary,” Fann said.

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Source: IANS

Published : April 11, 2018 4:06 pm

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