BRAIN AGING AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES

On behalf of Hyland Law Firm, LLC posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, April 7, 2015.

Each year in Kansas, many people suffer from traumatic brain injuries in accidents or while playing sports. Aside from the immediate symptoms of a brain injury, the trauma may cause long-lasting changes to the brain that can cause problems throughout the victim's life.

A British study conducted by a researcher at Imperial College in London demonstrated that the brains of brain-injured people show signs of premature brain aging. Researchers reviewed the brain scans of 99 people who had suffered traumatic brain injuries in car crashes, assaults or falls.

The scans revealed that the injured victims demonstrated persistent neurological issues. Taken from one month after the injury event and up to 46 years afterwards, the scans demonstrated that the neurological problems were persistent over time. They also showed that the injured brains showed structural changes similar to those that occur in the elderly. Researchers believe that people who suffer traumatic brain injuries are thus more likely to later develop Alzheimer's or another form of dementia.

Brain trauma is a very serious injury that can cause lifelong disability. A person who receives a brain injury in a car accident may want to ask their doctor to review the scans to check for permanent structural changes. Doing so may help the victim to understand that the required treatment may be ongoing. Those who are injured may also want to consult with a personal injury attorney if the accident was caused by a driver who was impaired or distracted in some manner. Through the filing of a personal injury lawsuit, victims may seek to hold the negligent driver responsible for the damages that have been incurred, including the costs of medical care and rehabilitation.