Brain injury trauma 'should be considered chronic'RSS Feed

27 August 2010

Traumatic brain injury should be reclassified as a chronic disease, according to leading experts in the field.

Ongoing research by scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston indicates that the condition may accelerate the deterioration caused by other diseases and disorders, reducing life expectancy.

Researchers believe that managing brain injury as a chronic condition would ensure patients receive the appropriate care for related consequences for years after sustaining the injury.

Long-term conditions that have been linked to traumatic brain injury by the researchers to make the case for reclassification include Alzheimer's, Parkinsons, epilepsy and chronic hormone-related disorders.

One of the paper's authors, Dr Douglas DeWitt, said: "Traumatic brain injury among soldiers and athletes, especially football players, has highlighted the serious health problems ... that are experienced later in life.

"Until traumatic brain injury is recognised as a chronic disease, research funding won't be adequate for the work that is needed to help patients minimise or avoid these outcomes."

Earlier this week, a report published by Arrowhead suggested that traumatic brain injury among soldiers is emerging as a major problem in the US.

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Posted by Matthew Dixon

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