Study Finds Concerning Effects of Concussions Later in Life

Cognitive health becomes an important factor in our quality of life as we get older. And even though cognitive decline is usually associated with advanced age, it turns out that what our brains go through when we're young can come back to haunt us later in life. 

A new study published in the Neurology journal shows that suffering from concussions is linked to increased cognitive decline later in life, even if it was just once and if the patient was observed to have made a full recovery. 

The researchers followed thousands of twins, many of them identical, who were World War II veterans. Because identical twins have the same genetic code, it made it easier for scientists to compare the neurological development of both when one suffered a concussion. In total, 8,662 men participated in the decades-long study with an average age of 67. 

The team discovered that twins who had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) scored lower on cognitive tests at age 70 than their non-injured counterparts. They also found that the speed of cognitive decline seems to get worse if you've had multiple concussions, had a concussion after age 24, or had a concussion that resulted in a loss of consciousness. 

Related: Concussed cyclist tries to finish race after heavy crash

Study co-author Marianne Chanti-Ketterl found the results to be concerning, opening the door to more research to look for more answers down the line. 

"Although these effect sizes are modest, the contribution of TBI on late life cognition, in addition to numerous other factors with a detrimental effect on cognition, may be enough to trigger an evaluation for cognitive impairment," she said in a statement.

Chanti-Ketterl went on to emphasize the importance of paying attention to these injuries before it's too late. 

"With the trend we are seeing with increased emergency room visits due to sports or recreation activity injuries, combined with the estimated half million members of the military who suffered a TBI between 2000 and 2020, the potential long-term impact of TBI cannot be overlooked," she said. "These results may help us identify people who may benefit from early interventions that may slow cognitive decline or potentially delay or prevent dementia."

Whatever you do, don't ignore signs that could be causes for concern. Even if it seems harmless now, it could present a bevy of issues when you're your grandparents' age. 

from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/wruGdze