Quick brain injury treatment cuts Alzheimer’s risk, study finds

Prompt treatment after a head injury, even if symptoms seem minor, could halve the risk of Alzheimer’s, new research suggests.

Beginning physical and cognitive therapy within a week cut later Alzheimer’s risk by more than 40 per cent, the study found.

Co-author Austin Kennemer said the finding could change how patients and hospitals respond.

The study was conducted by Case Western Reserve University.

Austin Kennemer, a co-author from the university’s medical school, said: “If patients are aware of that, they can advocate for themselves to receive these services.”

“Hopefully, hospitals change their systems to prioritise rehab immediately following an injury.”

Traumatic brain injuries, caused by a violent or sudden blow to the head that disrupts normal brain function, are linked to Alzheimer’s.

However, people sometimes delay treatment because symptoms appear minor or are attributed to other conditions. Some patients may have dementia or other impairments that prevent them from recognising they need medical attention.

Older people are most at risk of traumatic brain injury due to falls.

Treatment soon after injury allows the brain to repair pathways related to memory and learning, and helps avoid problems such as difficulty communicating and controlling emotions, Kennemer said.

Quick action can also help prevent further injury in the future, said Dr Rong Xu, director of the Center for AI and Drug Discovery at the school of medicine and a co-author of the study.

Xu said: “For people with Alzheimer’s disease, falling is probably the highest risk for death. It’s kind of this kind of a vicious cycle.” Alzheimer’s can then lead to more falls, Xu added.