The study found that: 1) Veterans who suffered one or more concussions were more likely to experience brain atrophy and cognitive decline, especially if they also had genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's. 2) Examining MRI scans, concussed veterans showed reduced thickness in areas of the brain associated with Alzheimer's atrophy. 3) As many concussions go unreported and untreated, early detection of brain abnormalities is important, especially in younger individuals, to enable early treatment development.

1. Study: Concussions Raise
the Risk of Alzheimer’s
among War Veterans
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2. Previous research has established that head trauma can lead to chronic traumatic
encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease often experienced by athletes and
soldiers. The Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), meanwhile, has led a new
study that suggests moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries may also be a major
risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
The study, published in the journal Brain, shows that concussions lead to an increased
rate of brain atrophy and cognitive decline, especially among veterans who already have
genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s.
Concussions Cause Thickness of the Cerebral Cortex and Memory Decline
The researchers studied 160 veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq. Some of them had
suffered from one or more concussions, while some had not experienced it at all. With
the help of MRI imaging, the researchers measured the thickness of their gray matter in
seven brain regions that show signs of brain atrophy due to Alzheimer’s. The results
indicate that concussions, along with genetics, are linked to cortical thickness and
memory decline.

3. Early Detection of Possible Brain Abnormalities
Of particular note is that a majority of people who experience concussions tend to ignore
symptoms and fail to follow it up with proper medical care. Fortunately, the relative
youth of the study group (which had an average age of 32 years old), suggest that
identifying the initial signs of Alzheimer’s and neurodegeneration is possible early on in a
person’s life. Scientists hope this will make it easier to come up with early-stage
treatments.
The Importance of Following Up Concussions with Immediate Medical Care
The results of the study show it is even more important to understand the signs and
symptoms of a concussion and to receive medical treatment as soon as possible to avoid
the potential long-term health consequences. Moreover, researchers can build on the
findings to devise a treatment for concussion-related mechanisms and come with
treatment for prevention.

4. The BUSM research makes it easier to identify soldiers who would be susceptible to
neurological complications. Hopefully, this could lead to the creation of positions in the
military that puts soldiers at a lower risk of getting concussed.
Sources:
https://www.osmondlaw.com/
http://www.futurity.org/concussions-alzheimers-genes-1351132-2-2/
https://www.bumc.bu.edu/busm/2017/01/13/researchers-find-link-between-
concussions-and-alzheimers-disease/
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/blog/2017/01/12/concussions-alzheimers/
http://neurosciencenews.com/alzheimers-concussion-neurology-5925/