People who have suffered head injuries in their 50s or younger get a lower-than-expected score in mental tests at age 70, according to a study led by University College London researchers.
Head injuries did not appear to contribute to Alzheimer’s-like brain damage, but they could make people more vulnerable to depressive symptoms, according to findings published in Annals. of Clinical Neurology and Translation.
Lead author Dr Sarah-Naomi James (UCL MRC Unit for Health and Longevity) said: “Here we find strong evidence that early or mid-life head injuries can have a significant impact on brain health and skills Long-term thinking. A head injury may make the brain more vulnerable to, or speed up, the normal aging process of the brain. “
The study included 502 participants in the UK’s longest running cohort study, the MRC National Study on Health and Development Agency, which has been following participants since birth in the same week in 1946.
At 53, they were asked ‘Have you ever been knocked unconscious?’ to find out if they had ever suffered a serious head injury; 21% of their sample answered yes to this question. And then around the age of 70 (69-71), study participants underwent brain scans (PET / MRI), and underwent a series of cognitive tests.
All participants had completed routine mental tests at the age of eight, so the researchers were able to compare their results at age 70 with the expected results based on youth understanding and other factors such as educational attainment and socio-economic status.
The researchers found that 70-year-olds who had suffered a severe head injury more than 15 years earlier performed slightly worse than expected on mental tests for quick attention and thinking (a difference of two points, a scored 46 vs. 48 on a 93-point scale). They also had smaller brain sizes (by 1%) and differences in brain microstructural integrity, according to evidence from previous studies, which may explain the subtle cognitive differences.
The researchers found no differences in levels of the amyloid protein, linked to Alzheimer’s disease, or other signs of Alzheimer’s-related damage.
Dr James said: “It looks like a head injury can make our brain more vulnerable to the normal effects of aging. We found no evidence that a head injury would cause depression. , but it may make some symptoms of depression worse. “
Associate lead author Professor Jonathan Schott (UCL Dementia Study Center, UCL Institute of Queen’s Square Neurology) said: “This contributes to a growing body of evidence linking injuries heads to brain health several years later, with even more reasons to protect the brain from injury whenever possible. “
The researchers did not have data on the frequency, severity or severity of the head injury, to see if long-term effects had been even greater for some people. Academics are continuing the research with this group to see if neurodegeneration or cognitive decline persists at the end of life among those with previous head injuries.
Associate lead author Professor Nick Fox (UCL Dementia Research Center and UCL UK Dementia Research Institute) said: “A serious head injury can have immediate side effects, but the thing is it is becoming increasingly clear that head injuries will only be as severe again – such as those held in contact sports – this can affect brain health several years later.
“Our study shows that, even in the general population, head injuries that are sufficient for loss of consciousness can have a minor impact on psychiatry later in life. It never was. clearer that we need to do what we can to protect our brains from lifelong injuries. “
The study was funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK, Dementias Platform UK Medical Examination Council (MRC), Wolfson Foundation and The Drake Foundation, and involved researchers at UCL, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, King’s College London , University of Gothenburg and Dementia Research Institute UK.
Lauren Pulling, Head of The Drake Foundation, which funds research on head effects in sport, said: “These new findings add to the growing evidence base showing that effects can with a visible, long-term effect on the brain.With this in mind, and in addition to further research, it is essential that sports governing bodies note and take a sensible approach to risk. reduce players from head injuries, from local to elite levels. “
Dr Susan Kohlhaas, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “With millions of people worldwide suffering from head injuries each year, the risk of sustaining these injuries should be an important goal. Looking for brain reduction and other signs of brain damage shortly after a head injury are important steps in understanding how brain injury is related to brain health and long-term thinking and memory problems.
“As the UK’s leading dementia research charity we are delighted to have funded this research and these findings contribute to our understanding of the factors that affect brain health. it is impossible to injure or avoid a head injury, there are steps we all take to help keep our brains healthy as we age.
“That’s why Alzheimer’s Research UK has launched the thinkbrainhealth.org.uk campaign to get people involved in this important part of their health and to make the public more aware of what they can do. to support brain health. “
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This story was published from a wire group group with no text changes.