HQ Team
August 22, 2024: Even a mild concussion could lead to long-term changes in the brain, according to a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Cambridge.
The research found that traumatic brain injuries (TBI) impact on cognitive and psychological health, even when the injuries are classified as mild.
Overview
The study team interviewed over 600 adults aged 40 to 59, out of which approximately one-third had experienced a TBI that resulted in a loss of consciousness. The researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to analyze brain changes and assessed various factors including cognition, sleep quality, depression, gait, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
Nearly 48.7% of male participants reported a history of at least one brain injury, compared to 28.1% of female participants. MRI results indicated that individuals with a history of TBI exhibited alterations in the blood vessels of their brains.
A higher incidence of brain injuries was correlated with poorer sleep, gait disturbances, severe depressive symptoms, and memory impairments, although cognitive deficits were not observed. Notably, TBI was identified as the primary factor contributing to sleep disturbances and depression.
The authors suggested that TBI-related symptoms, such as depression and sleep issues, may stem from cerebrovascular injury, which is also linked to other dementia risk factors.
Future research
The researchers emphasized the importance of developing safety guidelines to protect individuals at risk of brain injuries, particularly athletes in contact sports, construction workers, military personnel, and those prone to falls. They called for further research to explore intervention strategies aimed at preventing dementia in patients with a history of TBI.
Other studies
Other studies corroborate these findings. For instance, a European study indicated that nearly half of individuals experiencing a concussion continue to show symptoms months after the injury, including fatigue and cognitive impairment. Furthermore, research has established a connection between repeated concussions and an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
This recent study underscores the need for heightened awareness regarding the long-term consequences of even mild concussions.
Most people overlook or ignore concussions and never get it checked, according to Concussion Awareness Now. There were an estimated average of 190 TBI-related deaths a day in the United States in 2021.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared Abbot’s i-STAT TBI cartridge for rapid assessment of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or concussion
The study is available here.
