Audrey Low, Elizabeth McKiernan, Maria A. Prats-Sedano, Stephen F. Carter, James D. Stefaniak, Li Su,  Maria-Eleni Dounavi, Graciela Muniz-Terrera, Natalie Jenkins, Katie Bridgeman, Karen Ritchie, Brian Lawlor, Lorina Naci, Paresh Malhotra, Clare Mackay, Ivan Koychev, Tony Thayanandan, Vanessa Raymont, Craig W. Ritchie, William Stewart, John T. O’Brien.

Jama Network Open (2024)

DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.26774

Summary

Most traumatic brain injury (TBI) research focuses on contact sport athletes and trauma units, which naturally have more severe TBI. Whereas this study explored the impact of mild incidents of TBI in a group of healthy volunteers. Data from over 600 middle-aged adults was analysed, where using a comprehensive screening tool, researchers identified a surprising number of participants with a history of TBI – one in three with a higher rate in men.

The study found that even mild TBIs were linked to signs of brain microbleeds, depression, and poorer sleep in a group of otherwise healthy volunteers as early as midlife. Brain microbleeds are established markers of small vessel disease (SVD), a condition linked to an increased risk of dementia. However, this study found an unexpected disconnect. While other markers of SVD were associated with cardiovascular disease as expected, microbleeds were not. Instead, microbleeds were strongly linked to TBI history.

The data suggest that microbleeds can be a consequence of TBI rather than solely a result of chronic vascular disease. The study underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to TBI prevention, emphasising the role of policymakers, organisations, and the community to mitigate risk through policy changes, public education, and improved safety standards.