Brain injuries can cause significant long-term damage that can affect the rest of a person’s life. Victims who suffer brain injuries should be aware of both the short-term and long-term complications so they can seek the appropriate medical treatment and care.
Head injuries can affect each person in a different way. However, a new study found that serious head injuries can lead to the brain prematurely aging. The researchers said that traumatic brain injuries and other serious head injuries can cause damage in the brain for several years after the initial injury, and that it may even contribute to the development of dementia.
The researchers analyzed brain scans of 99 individuals who suffered traumatic brain injuries in car accidents, falls or assaults. They reported that the victims had neurological problems so they took scans of their brains one month and then 46 years after the injury.
The study found that victims of serious head injuries showed changes in the structure of their brains that is similar to older individuals. They reported that the victims’ brains were roughly five years older than the victims’ actual ages.
The finding that serious head injuries can make the brain age faster is a serious issue and one that victims, families and the medical community need to be aware of. Brain injuries require medical attention and care right away, but it is equally important to get long-term treatment if necessary to help prevent further complications from the injury.
Understanding how serious brain injuries can affect and alter the brain is a significant finding and may help medical professionals find better ways for treating people living with brain injuries.
