Litigation

Brain Damage Increases Risk For Alzheimer's Disease

By Michael Kaplen

Persons who have suffered brain damage as a result of a traumatic brain injury have a two to four times greater risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease. 

Researchers at Washington University, St. Louis and the University of Milan have concluded that the levels of a protein linked with Alzheimer's disease rise as people recover from brain injuries. The research appears in the journal Science.

The protein increases the amount of amyloid beta, which may accelerate the development of sticky clumps of amyloid plaque that is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease according to the study.

For those who may not remember, president Regan had fallen from a horse and sustained a head injury prior to this contracting Alzheimer's disease.

You can read a full summary of the association between head injury and Alzheimer's disease by clicking here.

Full post as published by Brain Injury News and Information on August 29, 2008 (boomark / email).