Study Shows Traumatic Brain Injuries Lead To Higher Alzheimer’s Rates In Veterans

by | June 30th, 2014

Each day, more light is shed on the long-term effects suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the line of duty may have on soldiers and veterans. This trend is continuing with the discovery that a TBI may lead to an increased risk of veterans suffering from the degenerative brain disease known as Alzheimer’s over time.

An article released by USA Today explains the study was conducted by researchers from University of California-San Francisco and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and examined the records of more than 188,000 service members. The findings that were published in the journal Neurology showed 16 percent of soldiers and veterans who had suffered a TBI were later diagnosed with Dementia, the precursor to Alzheimer’s. Only ten percent of service members who had not suffered a head injury were diagnosed with Dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Many experts find this 60 percent difference in numbers astonishing. The team has conceded that there are numerous factors that lead to a patient’s diagnosis of Dementia or Alzheimer’s, but say the results show a need to further evaluate the correlation between TBIs and other neurological conditions.

The Norfolk personal injury lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley see the devastating results of TBIs all too often and are hopeful this research can be used to better protect soldiers and civilians from these injuries and their dangers.