By Robert Preidt
HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Jan. 12, 2017 (HealthDay Information) -- May concussions pace up the psychological decline of individuals already in danger for Alzheimer's illness?
In a brand new examine, researchers examined 160 U.S. veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The investigators discovered that concussions appear to speed up Alzheimer's disease-related mind deterioration and psychological decline in people who find themselves at genetic danger for the illness. Nonetheless, the examine didn't show that concussions trigger Alzheimer's danger to rise.
"We discovered that having a concussion was related to decrease cortical thickness in mind areas which are the primary to be affected in Alzheimer's illness," stated examine corresponding creator Jasmeet Hayes. She is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Boston College Faculty of Medication.
"Our outcomes recommend that when mixed with genetic components, concussions could also be related to accelerated cortical thickness and reminiscence decline in Alzheimer's disease-relevant areas," Hayes stated in a college information launch.
The researchers stated that the veterans within the examine had been comparatively younger, with a mean age of 32.
"These findings present promise for detecting the affect of concussion on neurodegeneration early in a single's lifetime, thus it is very important doc the prevalence and subsequent signs of a concussion, even when the individual reviews solely having their 'bell rung' and is ready to shake it off pretty shortly," Hayes stated.
The examine authors prompt that the analysis might result in identification of concussion-related mechanisms that speed up mind ailments, reminiscent of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and continual traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE has not too long ago made information as a degenerative mind illness that impacts athletes -- professional soccer gamers, particularly -- with a historical past of repetitive head trauma.
"Remedies might then in the future be developed to focus on these mechanisms and delay the onset of neurodegenerative [disease]," concluded Hayes, who can be a analysis psychologist on the Nationwide Heart for PTSD, within the VA Boston Healthcare System.
The examine was printed on-line Jan. 12 within the journal Mind.
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