University of Glasgow

Academic Institute

William Stewart - Chief Investigator - University of GlasgowDonald Lyall - Corresponding Applicant - University of GlasgowBhautesh Jani - Collaborator - University of GlasgowClaire Hastie - Collaborator - University of GlasgowDaniel Mackay - Collaborator - University of GlasgowEmma Russell - Collaborator - University of GlasgowFrederick Ho - Collaborator - University of GlasgowJill Pell - Collaborator - University of GlasgowJim Lewsey - Collaborator - University of GlasgowMichael Fleming - Collaborator - University of GlasgowRobert Pearsall - Collaborator - LANARKSHIRE

CPRD898

Traumatic brain injury is recognised as a major risk factor for dementia, with around 3-15% of cases in the community a result of previous brain injury. In line with this, former contact sports athletes exposed to high levels of head impacts and brain injuries have higher risk of neurodegenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer, Parkinson or motor neuron disease. Reasons for this association are not clear. Research looking at health outcomes following brain injury suggest that wider general health is also affected: for example, rates of heart disease and mental health disorders are higher in brain injury survivors (vs. people without such injury). These conditions, in themselves and independent of brain injury, are also risk factors for dementia and related conditions, which might be one reason for higher dementia in these patients. Against this, however, former athlete studies show wider lifelong health is better. In other words, the relationship between brain injury and dementia risk is complex and remains poorly understood but might be influenced by wider health outcomes after brain injury, not just the damage to the brain itself.

A history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is recognised as a major risk factor for neurodegenerative disease (NDD), with around 3-15% of dementia in the community thought to be a consequence of prior TBI exposure. In line with this, former contact sports with histories of exposure to repetitive TBI and head impacts have high risk of neurodegenerative disease when compared to general population datasets. However, reasons why TBI might increase risk of NDD remain uncertain. Studies of TBI outcomes in the general population report that wider general health is also impacted, including higher rates of cardiovascular disease and mental health disorder in TBI survivors, which are, in themselves, recognised risk factors for NDD. However, in contrast to these general population data, observations in former athletes report better wider health, including lower cardiovascular disease and mental health disorder.

15/01/2021

Release