How Brain Injuries Can Lead to Brain Diseases
- Team Writer
- May 8
- 3 min read
Updated: May 9
Your brain is one of the most critical parts of your body. It helps you think, feel, and move. But what happens when your brain gets hurt? Scientists have found that brain injuries can sometimes lead to brain diseases later in life. Let’s explore how this happens and what we can do to protect our brains.
What is a Brain Injury?
A brain injury happens when something damages the brain. This can be caused by:
A blow to the head (like in sports or car accidents)
A fall (especially in older adults or young children)
A stroke (when blood flow to the brain is blocked)
A lack of oxygen (like drowning or choking)
Brain injuries can be mild, like a concussion, or severe, like a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Some injuries heal quickly, while others cause lasting damage.
What is a Brain Disease?
A brain disease is a condition that affects how the brain works over time. The Dementia Society of America® provides a list of the more common brain diseases:
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) – may cause Dementia, which includes memory loss and confusion.
Cerebrovascular disease (VaD) – may cause Dementia, which may include instability/falls, as well as personality and other cognitive changes.
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) – may cause Dementia and can include memory loss, tremors, and hallucinations.
Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) – may cause Dementia, which can include behavioural challenges and issues with speech and mobility.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) – may affect movement and balance. Some portion of those living with PD will develop Dementia.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) – often linked to repeated head injuries, and a cause for developing Dementia.
Brain diseases can make it harder to think, move, or remember things as one ages.
How Brain Injuries Can Lead to Brain Diseases
When the brain gets injured, it tries to heal itself. But sometimes, the damage is too severe, and over time, this can lead to brain diseases. Here’s how:
Inflammation in the Brain
After an injury, the brain becomes inflamed, like a bruise on your body. If inflammation lasts too long, it can damage brain cells and increase the risk of brain diseases.
Repeated Head Injuries and CTE
Athletes who play football, boxing, or soccer often experience repeated hits to the head. Over time, these injuries can lead to CTE, which affects memory, mood, and thinking.
Damage to Blood Flow
Injuries can harm blood vessels in the brain, making it harder for the brain to get oxygen. Poor blood flow increases the risk of strokes and Dementia.
Buildup of Toxic Proteins
Some brain injuries cause the brain to produce harmful proteins, which are linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
How to Protect Your Brain
There are several ways to protect your brain:
Wear a helmet when riding a bike, playing sports, or doing risky activities.
Buckle your seatbelt to avoid head injuries in car accidents.
Prevent falls by keeping floors clear and using handrails.
Stay active with exercise, which keeps blood flowing to the brain.
Eat brain-healthy foods like fish, nuts, and leafy greens.
Give your brain rest after an injury—don’t rush back to sports or work too soon.
Conclusion
Brain injuries can have profound effects, and sometimes, they lead to brain diseases later in life. By understanding the risks and protecting our brains, we can stay healthier and stronger for years. Take care of your brain—it’s the only one you’ve got!
Author: AI-Assisted Human-Edited Staff Writer
We do not endorse nor guarantee products, comments, suggestions, links, or other forms of content contained within blog posts that have been provided to us with permission, paid or otherwise. Dementia Society does not provide medical advice. Please consult your doctor. www.DementiaSociety.org
Additional Reading:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion. https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Traumatic Brain Injury: Hope Through Research.
Alzheimer’s Association. Head Injuries and Dementia Risk.
Mckee, A. C., Stein, T. D., Kiernan, P. T., & Alvarez, V. E. (2015). The Neuropathology of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Brain Pathology, 25(3), 350–364.
DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12248
Smith, D. H., Johnson, V. E., & Stewart, W. (2013). Chronic Neurodegenerative Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury: From CTE to Alzheimer’s Disease. Brain Injury, 27(3), 365-372. DOI: 10.3109/02699052.2013.865357
Mayo Clinic. Concussions and Brain Injuries. https://www.mayoclinic.org
Comments