Citation

Gavett BE, Stern RA, Cantu RC, Nowinski CJ, McKee AC. Alzheimers Res. Ther. 2010; 2(3): 18.

Affiliation

Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord St, B-7800, Boston, MA 02118, USA. begavett@bu.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group - BMC)

DOI

10.1186/alzrt42

PMID

20587081

PMCID

PMC2919698

Abstract

Recently, it has become clear that head trauma can lead to a progressive neurodegeneration known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Although the medical literature also implicates head trauma as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, these findings are predominantly based on clinical diagnostic criteria that lack specificity. The dementia that follows head injuries or repetitive mild trauma may be caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy, alone or in conjunction with other neurodegenerations (for example, Alzheimer's disease). Prospective longitudinal studies of head-injured individuals, with neuropathological verification, will not only improve understanding of head trauma as a risk factor for dementia but will also enhance treatment and prevention of a variety of neurodegenerative diseases.

Language: en