Brain injury research examines sickle cell disease effectsRSS Feed

Brain injury research examines sickle cell disease effects

A new study suggests that adults with sickle cell disease who experience only mild symptoms of the condition may have a heightened risk of impaired brain function.

The research, funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in the US, revealed that brain function scores among sickle cell patients were, on average, in the normal range.

However, twice as many patients as healthy adults (33 per cent versus 15 per cent) scored below normal levels, the researchers said.

Those who were more likely to score lower were older and had the lowest levels of haemoglobin - the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen in the blood - compared to sickle cell participants who scored higher.

Susan B Shurin, NHLBI acting director, said the study suggests that some adult patients with sickle cell disease "may develop cognitive problems, such as having difficulty organising their thoughts, making decisions, or learning, even if they do not have severe complications such as stroke related to sickle cell disease".

Sickle cell disease, or sickle cell anaemia, is a genetic blood disorder where red blood cells develop abnormally and can die prematurely, causing symptoms such as breathlessness and tiredness.

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