A traumatic brain injury is damage to the brain that can cause temporary or lasting disturbances in brain function.
Why is a traumatic brain injury a risk factor for dementia?
| Background | Research findings suggest that traumatic brain injury increases the risk of dementia and may lead to the onset of dementia 2–3 years earlier than in people without traumatic brain injury. (3,4) |
| Mechanisms: | Injuries to nerve fibers: Traumatic brain injuries can lead to damage to nerve fibers. This is associated with a structural change in the body's own proteins. Activation of immune cells: Traumatic brain injuries can activate microglia (specialized immune cells in the central nervous system). Breakdown of brain tissue: This can lead to the breakdown of brain tissue, which may result in problems processing visual information. (1,2) |
1.) Brett, B. L., Gardner, R. C., Godbout, J., Dams-O’Connor, K., & Keene, C. D. (2022). Traumatic Brain Injury and Risk of Neurodegenerative Disorder. Biological psychiatry, 91(5), 498–507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.05.025
2.) Graham, N. S., & Sharp, D. J. (2019). Understanding neurodegeneration after traumatic brain injury: from mechanisms to clinical trials in dementia. Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry, 90(11), 1221–1233. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2017-317557
3.) Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Liu, K. Y., Costafreda, S. G., Selbæk, G., Alladi, S., Ames, D., Banerjee, S., Burns, A., Brayne, C., Fox, N. C., Ferri, C. P., Gitlin, L. N., Howard, R., Kales, H. C., Kivimäki, M., Larson, E. B., Nakasujja, N., Rockwood, K., Samus, Q., … Mukadam, N. (2024). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. The Lancet (London, England), 404(10452), 572–628. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01296-0
4.) Schaffert, J., LoBue, C., White, C. L., Chiang, H. S., Didehbani, N., Lacritz, L., Rossetti, H., Dieppa, M., Hart, J., & Cullum, C. M. (2018). Traumatic brain injury history is associated with an earlier age of dementia onset in autopsy-confirmed Alzheimer’s disease. Neuropsychology, 32(4), 410–416. https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0000423
What can I do?
Take the following precautions to reduce the risk and severity of a traumatic brain injury
in the event of an accident:
- Do exercises to prevent falls.
- Wear a helmet in situations where there is a higher-than-average risk of head injury (e.g., cycling).
- Wear a seat belt when driving.
- Use appropriate car seats for children.
- Concentrate while walking and don't let yourself get distracted. For example, avoid talking while walking (4).
during sports:
The risk of neurodegenerative disease associated with sports should not overshadow the fact that sports are generally good for your health. Nevertheless, it makes sense to take appropriate measures to protect yourself from head injuries (2,3):
- Wear appropriate head protection.
- Limit heading drills.
- Prevent high-impact collisions.
- Avoid physical activity immediately after a traumatic brain injury. (1)
1.) Alzheimer`s Association. TBI and Cognitive Decline: Traumatic Brain Injuries Increases Risk. https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/tbi-ph_1.pdf
2.) Head injury, sport and the risk of dementia | Alzheimer’s Society
3.) Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Liu, K. Y., Costafreda, S. G., Selbæk, G., Alladi, S., Ames, D., Banerjee, S., Burns, A., Brayne, C., Fox, N. C., Ferri, C. P., Gitlin, L. N., Howard, R., Kales, H. C., Kivimäki, M., Larson, E. B., Nakasujja, N., Rockwood, K., Samus, Q., … Mukadam, N. (2024). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. The Lancet (London, England), 404(10452), 572–628. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01296-0
4.) Lundin-Olsson, L., Nyberg, L., & Gustafson, Y. (1997). „Stops walking when talking“ as a predictor of falls in elderly people. The Lancet (London, England), 349(9052), 617. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(97)24009-2
