It may seem like a slight injury, but if you suffer from falls, the risk of dementia can increase significantly.
Canadian researchers tracked up to 260,000 elderly people up to 17 years of age, half of which were diagnosed with traumatic brain damage (TBI), a general complication of falls that could cause the head to bruises or bleeding in the brain.
Overall, the researchers found that people who were injured by all causes were 69 % higher in risk of dementia diagnosis in the next five years.
According to the estimates, researchers did not say whether they were suffering from the TBI, especially due to falls, but this is the most common reason for the complications of adults who are older after 80 %of cases.
After 5 years, TBI patients also There is a 56 %risk of dementia diagnosis than those who have never experienced damage.
Dr. YU Qing Huang, the elderly and doctor at the University of Toronto, led the study.
‘By aiming at the autumn -related TBI, we can potentially reduce TBI -related dementia (among the elderly). “
Researchers have not suggested why injuries increase the risk of dementia, but in previous studies, scientists said that damage to brain cells can cause abnormal protein accumulation related to dementia.
Researchers in Toronto have found that traumatic brain damage as they age and often have a high risk of dementia diagnosis in relation to falls (Stock Image).
In addition, injured patients have been proposed to be a precursor for dementia or light cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia that have not already been diagnosed.
Dementia and MCI It is known to increase the risk of suffering from autumn or TBI, which can accelerate the development of the disease.
About 14 million Americans, or one out of four aged 65 or older, suffer each year, and up to 60 %of them caused TBI.
And Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, with about 7 million people per year, and the case is estimated to reach 13 million by 2050.
Falls are the most common causes of TBI for the elderly, but can be caused by car accidents or head trauma.
In mild, the patient may lose consciousness for a few seconds to 1 minute, have a temporary memory or intensive problem, dizzy, and again balanced.
In moderation, severe injuries allow the patient to lose consciousness for several minutes and several hours and then experience continuous headaches, confusion, fluctuations and drying.
It can also cause personality changes and sometimes cause persistent disorders such as loss of memory, difficulty in concentration and slow processing.
The World Health Organization Review has previously found that about 70-90 %of all TBIs were inherently gentle, but it is not clear how often the TBI is gentle or severe or serious.
The above shows the percentage of the participants who have developed dementia (Y -axis or vertical axis) for several years (x -axis or horizontal axis). People suffering from traumatic brain damage show that they are more likely to be diagnosed with dementia.
According to a 2024 paper, adults who aged 65 or older suffer from fallen adults were 20 % more likely to be diagnosed with dementia than their colleagues in one year.
For research Canadian Medical Association JournalThe researchers analyzed the data of the health care database in Ontario, Canada.
They compared similar people who had not suffered head trauma after seeing adults over 65 years of age who were injured in traumatic brain due to some causes between April 2004 and March 2020.
Participants were traced or died until they were diagnosed with dementia in March 2021.
In addition to the increase in the risk of dementia, researchers said that about one out of three people suffering from the TBI, who is over 85 years old, will have dementia.
Among the analyzed groups, people who were women and aged 75 were found to have the highest risk of diagnosis of dementia after the TBI.
This may be because women live longer than men and are more likely to suffer from muscle weakness, osteoporosis or dementia.
The above is a CDC map that shows the most common report among the elderly.
This study also showed that it was the most likely to enter a nursing home after suffering from TBI in areas with older and small communities and in areas with low income and racial diversity.
Five years later, the risk of being diagnosed with dementia after suffering from the TBI was not clear, but it could be because the brain was able to recover the initial damage caused by injuries and lower the risk of dementia slightly.
Dr. Huang added: ‘According to our research, in order for limited health resources to match the population demand, the support services of women (75 years old or older) living in small communities, low -income and low -income areas, such as community -based dementia prevention programs, should be prioritized.
And the authors added: ‘TBI has been studied as a risk factor for dementia in adulthood, but our findings emphasize how this risk changes over time and time.
‘This is important information () clinical trials can help guide the elderly patients and their families.’
