New Research Finds Link Between Brain Trauma, Dementia

Northville, MI (Law Firm Newswire) July 17, 2018 – A single concussion is tied to an increased risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, according to a recent study.

In one of the largest studies of its kind, researchers scoured Danish health databases to examine 2.8 million patient records. They discovered those who had sustained any type of brain injury had a 24 percent greater risk of dementia than those who had not. The report, which was published in The Lancet Psychiatry, said those who suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) had the highest risk of developing dementia.

“The possible association of traumatic brain injury, which many veterans have endured, with dementia means better treatment must be a top priority to ensure the safety and health of our brave men and women who have served our country,” said Jim Fausone, a veterans attorney at Legal Help for Veterans in Michigan.

Since 2000, nearly 400,000 service members have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, according to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, which is part of the U.S. Military Health System. Most of the injuries are classified as a concussion, the center said.

“What surprised us [in the study] was that even a single mild TBI was associated with a significantly higher risk of dementia,” said lead author Dr. Jesse Fann, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Fann pointed out another significant finding that if an individual suffers a brain injury in their 20s, the risk of developing dementia at age 50 grows by 60 percent.

For those who have experienced a head injury while in service and have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury or believe a traumatic brain injury is possible, contact the attorneys at Legal Help for Veterans to get assistance.

Learn more at http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC 41700 West Six Mile Road, Suite 101 Northville, MI 48168 Toll Free Phone: 800.693.4800