Traumatic brain injury could lead to Alzheimer plaques

Researchers are exploring the ways that traumatic brain injuries are related to the development ofAlzheimer’s diseasein old age.

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative cognitive disorder that typically affects people over the age of 65. In its early stages, it causes mild memory loss and confusion, whereas more advanced stages of the disease include significant memory loss, disorientation and difficulty speaking.

There is no cure for the disease, and scientists are unsure of how exactly it is caused. New studies that examine elements that could lead to the devastating condition’s formation are key to finding ways to stop or slow it in the future.

Brain trauma and dementia

In a study that was published in an early February edition of the journal Neurology, researchers claim that brain injuries could lead to the plaques that are associatedwith heavy dementia and Alzheimer’s.

These plaques are caused by beta-amyloid proteins that start to stick together inside the brain. These abnormal protein growths can start to form between nerve cells as people age. People with Alzheimer’s tend to have more of these amyloid clusters than those who have plaques but don’t have the disease. The plaques can suffocateparts of the brain, leading to tissue deterioration. In parts of the brain that serve learning and memory functions, these dying tissues lead to cognitive impairments.

The study found that people who suffered some kind of traumatic brain injury like a concussion can contribute to these plaque growths. Patients with Alzheimer’s and people who had a moderate to severe brain injury from 11 months to 17 years before the study all had these amyloid-plaque buildups on their brains.

“More and more evidence suggests brain trauma can trigger long-term processes that may be harmful, suggesting the window for treatment after a head injury may be much greater than previously thought,” said David Sharp, study author and professor at the National Institute for Health Research at Imperial College London. “Additional research needs to be done to understand these long-term processes, such as amyloid plaque deposition and persistent brain inflammation, and of course to develop treatments that target these processes.”

Study participants who sustained injuries to the white matter of their brains showed more plaques. The white matter of the brain has a higher concentration of nerves than the rest of the brain.

Brain injuries and the elderly

The number one cause of brain injury in the elderly are falls. Seniors tend to have more problems with balance and stability as their bones and muscles weaken with age, which makes them more susceptible to tripping and more likely to experience and injury when they do fall. People over the age of 75 are the most likely to suffer a serious brain injury from falling.

Caregivers should be sure to treat any possible head injury seriously. Some signs of concussion include loss of consciousness, disorientation, headache, confusion, vision problems, vomiting and irritability. Not all signs will always be present when a head injury occurs, however. Any time a person hits his head, he should immediately be taken to see a doctor to be tested for a brain injury.

The best treatment for a head injury is rest, both physically and cognitively. A person who has a brain injury and continues their normal routines will significantly delay his healing time and will increase associated risks. It’s important to seek immediate medical attention to get treatment to prevent these kind of long-lasting affects of a brain injury.

If a senior does have a brain injury, he will need extra help and attention. People recovering from brain injuries should refrain from heavy-thinking practices, like driving, writing and reading, which means seniors may need help with many of their daily tasks as they heal.