A traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases the risks that a person develops dementia, which increases several times more with repeated injuries. The symptoms of traumatic brain injury are related to the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. For patients in Illinois, TBI is a common cause of dementia that often takes years to develop.
Causes of dementia
The most predominant causes of dementia are neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. A severe head injury known as traumatic brain injury (TBI) may have permanent effects on one or more parts of the brain that control normal thinking and functioning. Dementia does not develop in every person who has TBI, but the risks of developing this condition increase years after the injury occurs.
The results of severe TBI
Repeated incidences of mild traumatic brain injuries show increased risks of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). In boxers, this condition is common and results in cognitive problems, memory loss, mood swings and reduced control of behaviors. The condition could worsen over time to become dementia.
Severe trauma to the brain may cause atrophy that reduces the weight of the brain. Additional physical injuries include the loss of neurons, tissue scarring in the brain, the development of senile plaques and other issues. Overall, repeated injuries to the brain are among the most likely causes of TBI-related dementia.
Traumatic brain injury is the cause of several forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, according to some medical research. Repeated, severe brain injuries tend to increase the risks of neurodegenerative diseases. Over time, a damaged brain could worsen over time and increase the difficulty of basic cognitive thinking and functioning.