Head injury linked to higher risk of dementia in later life
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A recent study led by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania has found that people who have experienced head injuries, from vehicular accidents to sports-related impacts, may face a significantly increased risk of developing dementia even more than two decades later. This research reveals the long term impacts of head injuries and traumas on cognitive health, showing notable differences in dementia risk based on sex and race. These findings highlight the critical need for long-term monitoring and preventive strategies for those who have experienced head injuries, as well as further research into the mechanisms that influence these disparities in risk.
Source
Schneider, A. L. C., Selvin, E., Latour, L., Turtzo, L. C., Coresh, J., Mosley, T., Ling, G., & Gottesman, R. F. (2021). Head injury and 25-year risk of dementia. Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 17(9), 1432–1441. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.12315
Additional Reading
https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/news/repeated-head-injury-increases-dementia-risk/
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/study-finds-increased-risk-dementia-decades-old-head-injuries