A seemingly simple fall can have far-reaching consequences, especially for older adults. New research from Canada tracking 260,000 seniors for 17 years (April 2004-March 2020) reveal a striking link between traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and a heightened risk of developing dementia, shedding light on how a single accident could accelerate cognitive decline.Can Head Injuries Lead To Dementia? The study found that older adults who suffered a TBI from any cause had a 69 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia within the next five years compared to those who did not have a TBI. Even after five years, TBI sufferers still had a 56 percent higher risk of a dementia diagnosis. While the study didn't look at falls specifically, falls are the most common reason for TBIs in older adults, causing an estimated 80 percent of cases. Researchers emphasized that these falls are in fact preventable. They explained that by targeting fall-related TBIs, there is a huge potential that they can reduce TBI-associated dementia." Why Do Head Injuries Cause Dementia? The study authors did not give a specific reason for the link, but previous research suggests two main possibilities. Direct damage: this suggests that the head injury itself—like bruising or bleeding in the brain can hurt brain cells. This damage might then cause abnormal proteins, which are strongly linked to dementia, to build up faster. Pre-Existing Conditions: It is also possible that patients who suffer a fall or TBI already have undiagnosed dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). These conditions are known to make falls more likely, and the head trauma may then speed up the disease's progression. Who Is More At Risk For Dementia Due To Injury? The research revealed that the risk of dementia after a TBI is not the same for everyone: Age and Gender Women aged 75 years or older were found to be the most at risk of developing dementia after suffering a TBI. This may be because women tend to live longer and are more likely to suffer from conditions like muscle weakness or bone thinning (osteoporosis), which increase the risk of falls. Overall Risk Among people aged 85 years or older who suffered a TBI, about one in three eventually developed dementia. Community Patients who were older and lived in smaller communities and areas with low income and less ethnic diversity were the most likely to be admitted to a nursing home after a TBI. Why Should We Pay More Attention To TBI? According to the International Brain Injury Association, injuries to the brain are some of the most dangerous kinds of injuries a person can suffer. They are among the most likely to cause death or permanent disability. In fact, brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. It is also the main cause of long-term seizure disorders. Because of how serious these injuries are, the World Health Organization (WHO) started tracking them officially in 1993. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major health issue in the United States every year. Today, an estimated 5.3 million Americans are living with disabilities caused by a TBI. They emphasize that brain injury is a public health concern that requires continued research to find better medical treatments, as well as increased efforts to prevent the injuries from happening in the first place.
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