News Agency Reports New Link Between Brain Injury and the Onset of Alzheimer's Disease
Researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington D.C. recently published an article in the journal Nature Medicine on the potential link between Alzheimer's disease and those who have previously suffered from a traumatic brain injury.
According to a Reuter's news report on the study, Alzheimer's disease is "associated with accumulations of an abnormal protein, amyloid beta, in the brain. Traumatic brain injury triggers accumulation of enzymes required for production of amyloid-beta."
However, individuals who suffer from traumatic brain injuries can still find hope in this newly appointed research as scientists may have found a way to decrease the effects of brain damage by "blocking the enzymes in the biochemical pathway reducing the effects of long-term Alzheimer's disease damage," according to Reuters.
Traumatic Brain Injury Risks
Approximately 5 million Americans are currently living with a traumatic brain injury; each year there is an additional 1 million U.S. citizens who suffer from a TBI incident. There are many causes behind a traumatic brain injury, including:
- violence
- transportation accidents
- construction
- sports
- falls
- struck by an object
- improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
Symptoms often associated with a traumatic brain injury depend upon the severity of an injury, which can range from mild to moderate to severe. However, common side effects include the following:
- headache
- vomiting
- nausea
- lack of motor coordination
- dizziness
- difficulty balancing
- lightheadedness
- blurred vision
- tired eyes
- ringing in the ears
- bad taste in the mouth
- fatigue
- lethargy
- changes in sleep patterns
- cognitive changes
- behavioral changes
- confusion
- memory difficulties
- concentration problems
- difficulties thinking and remaining attentive
- weakness or numbness in limbs
- dilation of one or both pupils
- agitation
Living With TBI
TBI is often a very debilitating condition that may require large amounts of physical therapy and treatment options as well as require thousands of dollars in medical costs, which is why it is common for many brain injury patients to discuss a TBI lawsuit with an experienced personal injury attorney.
By contacting a brain injury lawyer, a patient is increasing their chances of receiving monetary funds as a compensation for the damages endured because of a brain injury incident. Additionally, a TBI lawsuit may also result in the reimbursement of expensive medical bills as well as open the door for patients to receive costly medical care that they may have otherwise been able to afford or receive.
