Does Brain Injury Increase the Risk of Dementia?

A brain injury can be traumatic and life-altering. For many people, it means an extended period of rehabilitation as they work to regain physical and cognitive abilities. However, what happens after the initial recovery phase? Does the risk of dementia increase for those who have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI)?

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the link between brain injuries and dementia, including what researchers have discovered so far.

Link Between TBIs and Dementia

A study done in 2020 found that patients who sustained multiple TBIs were 2-3 times more likely to develop dementia over their lifetime. In another interesting discovery, it was also found that White males, specifically veterans, were at greater risk for dementia after sustaining TBIs. It is stated that more research is needed to understand the reasoning behind this.

According to another study from Sweden, those who sustained a TBI were four to six times as likely to receive a dementia diagnosis compared to those without a TBI. The study also found that a person is at risk of developing dementia even 30 years after a TBI.

It’s essential to note that there is no current evidence behind single, mild TBIs increasing the risk of dementia. However, some evidence does suggest that those who have sustained more frequent mild TBIs are at higher risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Those at greater risk of sustaining TBIs are football players, hockey players, boxers, and soccer players.

If you are unsure if you’ve sustained a TBI, look out for these immediate symptoms:

• Memory loss
• Confusion
• Difficulty speaking
• Nausea
• Headache

Brain Injury Attorneys

A brain injury is one of the most severe injuries a person can sustain. Some injuries may be permanent, leading to a lifetime of treatments and medications. You shouldn’t have to bear the weight of medical bills due to another person’s negligence. If someone else caused your accident, you have the right to seek justice.

Fill out a consultation request form or call the office at (417) 887-4300 to get in touch with our brain injury attorneys at Strong Law, P.C..