In the current world, the dangers of repetitive head trauma have become a cornerstone of much debate across the athletic world. Whether it be from sports like hockey, American football, or even soccer (football), emerging science points to the fact that recurrent head trauma can lead to brain deterioration.
The theory behind the connection between traumatic brain injuries and Alzheimer’s
When you think about it even on a superficial level, you don't have to be a brain surgeon or even a neurologist to assume that numerous head injuries can lead to long-term brain damage after years of abuse. Continuously having something hit tissue will cause inflammation and eventually degeneration in most cases throughout the body.
However, there has not been an obvious “black and white” connection between head trauma and diseases like Alzheimer’s even in modern medicine. Even if you suffer from a severe concussion after a car accident or sporting event, our brains are designed in such a way that the trauma inflicted upon the tissues in the brain is a fraction of the total force on the body.
A big reason for this lies in the anatomy of the head. The bones that make up our skulls are very hard and able to withstand a lot of force without breaking. The bones in our skulls are positioned in such a way that, even if we do have a fracture of one of these bones, it will break away much like shatter-proof windshields on a car to make sure that the brain is still protected.
Not only do the bones of the skull perform a vital defense against injuries, but our brains are also floating in a solution of fluid within our cranium to add another layer of protection. This fluid is a combination of water, proteins and sugar and it acts as a shock absorber for any traumatic injury. Even in a very serious head-on collision, the brain will not move very far within your skull because this fluid barrier can disperse most of the force.
Although your brains will not be filling around your skulls after any impact, it is still possible to have a concussion even after a seemingly innocent traumatic event. A concussion occurs when our brains experience some mild traumatic injury and as a result of the force, move in a whiplash-like pattern. The sudden forward movement followed by the rapid reversal of the brain can lead to what will be described as a concussion.
Alzheimer's and repeated head trauma: The science behind the connection
Recent publications have begun to shed light on how Alzheimer's disease may actually be connected to repetitive head trauma. Even if the head may be "designed" to be a very good shock absorber, consistent trauma to the head will eventually lead to degenerative brain disease. This is due to the way the brain's anatomy. It is a very well-vascularized structure with small blood vessels crisscrossing its entire surface. Even in cases of small trauma, some of these smaller vessels are likely to be damaged and lead to inflammation in the head. In most cases, the patient may only feel a slight headache that will subside after a few hours, but as this chronic inflammation occurs after frequent head trauma, it is more likely the consequences will be more pronounced.
Patients will likely start to have damaged tissue and damaged proteins will make an appearance. These are known as tau proteins and are also seen in high levels in patients who have Alzheimer's disease. When these proteins start to accumulate, it leads to more damage in the tissue, arteries and surrounding structures. This can gradually snowball into a large degeneration of the entire lobe of the brain.
Another consequence of traumatic brain injury is the phenomenon of micro bleeding. When these smaller vessels are damaged during a concussion, for example, a small amount of bleeding will occur. Even a small amount of blood in the brain can have a significant impact on the neurons, mitochondria and astrocytes that are found within the brain. These cells are responsible for functions of thinking, energy production and repairing damaged cells. If these cells begin to get destroyed at a faster rate, the brain will be unable to continue to repair itself as efficiently as it once did. This will lead to the degradation of the brain and predispose a patient to Alzheimer's disease as well.
As we wait to see what other novel agents may be on the horizon, it is important to remember that preventing head trauma in the first place is your best bet. A concussion or any other common form of head trauma can lead to significant brain damage even after one event. If a person suffers from one, chances are the brain will be able to survive the initial inflammation and long-term consequences will be absent.
As the frequency increases, however, the magnitude of the damage will become much more severe. It is best to ensure that you take protective measures against these types of brain trauma. Making sure that you wear equipment like helmets when playing sports or even biking would be a good start. Make sure that these helmets have been rated as safe based on the most current guidelines to reduce head impact. Sports leagues should also focus on improving athletic techniques in youth populations to make sure that the head is not involved in tackling, body checking or even headers during a soccer match. If a head injury does occur, it is also important to wait at least a few weeks before you re-engage in this sport to allow the brain adequate time to self-heal.
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