CT scan of the patient’s brain and the hand of a doctor. Photo.
New information is constantly being uncovered as the medical community studies traumatic brain injuries. It wasn’t long ago that they were looking into a link between traumatic brain injuries and future diagnoses of Alzheimer’s Disease. A recent study showed that this link doesn’t hold up but it may point to a different link altogether: Parkinson’s Disease.
Traumatic brain injuries can lead to an accumulation of Lewy bodies
The accumulation of Lewy bodies, which, according to the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging, are linked to Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease, may be linked to traumatic brain injuries earlier in live. Lewy bodies, which are essentially abnormal deposits of protein in the brain that affect several chemical levels, can lead to uses with behavior, thinking, movement, and mood. In short, an accumulation of Lewy bodies can prevent a person from functioning normally on a day to day basis. Recent evidence suggests it can also lead to Parkinson’s Disease.
This information contradicts previous information
In 1995, a study came out that seemed to link some aspects of traumatic brain injuries with some aspects of Alzheimer’s Disease. However, the new study, which set out to prove this link, instead found that when a person lost consciousness for more than an hour due to a single blow to the head, their chances of being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease years down the line were about three times the chances of a person who didn’t go through a similar head injury.
At the same time, the study found no link between traumatic brain injuries and Alzheimer’s Disease. The study also found that there’s generally an average of 40 years between the time of the brain injury and the development of Lewy bodies.
Advances in brain injury research are here
The field of brain injuries is advancing, thanks to more media coverage and more awareness from people. There’s no question that a brain injury can affect the victim for years down the road. If you’re in this position, or someone you love is, then the first step is to get immediate medical attention and a thorough evaluation.
If your brain injury was the result of the negligence of someone else, or if it came as a result of an injury that was purposely inflected, then you may be entitled to compensation for your brain injury. These types of injuries can require long-term care and necessitate a legal approach that takes into consideration the unknown costs in the future. At Law Offices of Michael A. Kahn we have years of experience helping clients who are dealing with these complex legal matters.
Call us today at (310) 209-1600 to get your free consultation. We can carefully assess your unique situation, discuss the options, and decide together how to move forward. This is a sensitive topic that can be difficult to handle head-on. We offer compassionate and professional legal advice to every client.
