Researchers identified a new link between concussions and the early signs of Alzheimer's disease in a study published in the neurology journal Brain.
For the study, researchers — using MRI imaging — examined the brains of 160 Iraqi and Afghanistan war veterans. Some had one or more concussions and others had never experienced a concussion. The average age of study participants in which the brain abnormalities were detected was 32 years of age.
Researchers discovered the MRIs of veterans who'd experienced a concussion had a reduction in the thickness of regions of the cerebral cortex known to display the first signs of atrophy due to Alzheimer's disease.
"Our results suggest that when combined with genetic factors, concussions may be associated with accelerated cortical thickness and memory decline in Alzheimer's disease relevant areas," said study author Jasmeet Hayes, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine. "These findings show promise for detecting the influence of concussion on neurodegeneration early in one's lifetime, thus it is important to document the occurrence and subsequent symptoms of a concussion, even if the person reports only having their 'bell rung' and is able to shake it off fairly quickly, given that when combined with factors such as genetics, the concussion may produce negative long-term health consequences."
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