Can a TBI Cause Early-Onset Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most devastating medical diagnoses a person can receive. In recent years, many people have started taking steps to prevent the onset of this incurable condition. Working out, eating a healthy diet, and playing games for mental agility are all ways to help protect brain health.

Another key Alzheimer’s prevention strategy is to protect the head from traumatic injuries during sports and leisure activities. Why? Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is considered a risk factor that can contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease. This National Alzheimer’s Month, take time to understand how TBIs and dementia are related.

Understanding TBI & Alzheimer’s Disease

TBI and Alzheimer’s disease are neurological problems affecting brain health and cognitive processing. But while they are both neurological disorders and are related in some ways, they work differently. TBIs are caused by head trauma, while Alzheimer’s has a variety of causes and risk factors that doctors don’t fully understand yet.

Brain injuries can also happen to any age group, though they are more common among children and seniors. Alzheimer’s and early-onset Alzheimer’s, on the other hand, almost always occur in patients in their 40s and up.

Traumatic Brain Injury Facts

Many people associate TBIs with military veterans and professional athletes. However, an estimated 69 million people worldwide suffer from a TBI every year.

A TBI happens when a sudden, forceful blow or jolt causes immediate damage to the brain. These injuries can range from minor cases treated with rest and medication to serious cases requiring care or surgery in a trauma center.

Preventing TBIs

Vehicle accidents, bike accidents, and falls are the most common causes of TBI. Buckling up in the car or wearing a bike helmet can help prevent serious injuries. Individuals who work in dangerous jobs or enjoy extreme sports should always wear protective headgear. Avoiding activities where blows or jolts are likely can also help prevent brain injuries.

Alzheimer’s Disease Facts

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia—the generic term for problems involving memory and cognitive ability loss. The memory loss of Alzheimer’s goes far beyond age-related memory problems. Alzheimer’s patients suffer from significant cognitive losses that eventually cause confusion about family, friends, and caregivers. Behavioral changes and agitation are also common.

Alzheimer’s is a difficult disease that can lead to frustration, anger, and depression in those who suffer from it and their caregivers. Individuals who have dementia tend to face decreased quality of life. In some situations, advanced dementia patients need around-the-clock medical care at home or in a memory care facility.

Is There a Connection Between TBI and Alzheimer’s Disease?

A particularly disruptive type of dementia called early-onset Alzheimer’s affects individuals under 65, with many in their 40s and 50s. If you or a loved one has suffered from a TBI, you likely wonder whether your head injury could cause Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia as you age.

Unfortunately, research has shown that TBIs can contribute to early-onset Alzheimer’s. A University of Pennsylvania study found that individuals who had suffered from one brain injury were 1.25 times more likely to develop dementia later. The same study found that those who’ve suffered from two or more brain injuries are two times more likely to develop dementia.

While it might not be pleasant to think about, it’s important to watch for signs of early-onset Alzheimer’s if you or a loved one have suffered a TBI. Early intervention may help slow the progression of the disease. It can also provide emotional relief for people frustrated by cognitive struggles and related problems but aren’t sure why they’re happening.

Legal Relief for TBI Victims

Suffering from a TBI and related cognitive problems can seem like a lonely—and expensive—experience. Thankfully, many personal injury attorneys have stepped up to help brain injury victims receive compensation. Medical bills, lost wages, and lost quality of life are all concerns of TBI victims who take their cases to court.

Three Major Verdicts for TBI Victims

There have been many successful personal injury lawsuits favoring victims of TBI in recent years. These cases represent a positive trend for victims of brain injuries and their families.

A Minnesota jury awarded a 19-year-old man who suffered brain injuries while working at a gas station $15,868,960. In this case, a faulty product caused the young man to suffer from a severe TBI. The Minnesota Supreme Court later reduced the award to $8.2 million, but the damages in this case still show that TBI is a serious personal injury that can cause substantial pain and suffering.

A Virginia jury awarded $2.45 million to a man who was rear-ended on the highway. This case is particularly notable because the judge did not allow supposed scientific evidence showing that the force of the accident was not enough to cause his injuries. The case is an important acknowledgment that even a mild brain injury can impact health, mental well-being, and the ability to work.

In 2015, a Los Angeles man injured while riding a public bus was awarded $13.82 million. The unemployed man was traveling on the bus when it struck a semi designed to transport cars. The man was knocked around the compartment of the bus several times, resulting in severe brain injury and paralysis on his left side.

Nothing can ever make up for the quality of life that dementia patients lose—or the suffering their loved ones experience. Of course, those who have suffered from a TBI may also face the emotional burden of worrying about what the future brings. It’s important to remember that early detection of all forms of Alzheimer’s can help delay the progress of the disease.

There’s also reason for hope. Medical researchers and other professionals are fighting for dementia patients and their families. Lawyers and advocates in the personal injury law arena are working hard this National Alzheimer’s Month to fight for victims now and ensure that future TBI victims receive justice. Whether you had a TBI or are a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s, know that legal professionals care about your struggles and are here to help.

Charles Bennett

Charles Bennett is a Plaintiff’s trial attorney and trial consultant based in Dallas, Texas. His law firm, Bennett Injury Law, is a personal injury plaintiff’s law firm that specializes in 18-Wheeler and Commercial crashes, Wrongful Death, Traumatic Brain Damage, Motor Vehicle Crashes, and Workplace Injuries. Cases Charles has consulted on in 2019 have won over $35M in verdicts.