A new study from the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine has determined that veterans who suffered brain injuries while in combat have a 60 percent higher risk of developing dementia opposed to veterans without history of brain injury.
Researchers evaluated close to 190,000 veterans at an average age of 68. These individuals did not suffer from dementia, and 1229 of this number had been diagnosed with a brain injury suffered during combat.
After a nine-year period, follow-up examinations revealed that 16% of veterans who had suffered a brain injury showed symptoms of dementia at an average of 78.5 years of age. The rate was just 10% for the group with no history of brain injury, exhibited at approximately 81 years of age. Results were consistent even when factoring in other contributors to the risk of dementia such as diabetes, high blood pressure and alcohol abuse.
Today, a significant number of veterans are returning from active duty with combat-related brain injuries, which may translate to an increased chance for dementia. Researchers of the above-mentioned study believe these individuals should be screened for signs of depression, alcohol abuse, suicidal tendencies and whether they are fit to have access to firearms.
If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury during combat, the team of Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, want you to get the Veterans Disability Benefits you deserve. Contact us today for a free initial consultation to see how we can help.
