War veterans with brain injuries show a faster decline in cognitive functioning as they age

Published on August 24, 2008 By redcoal In Health & Medicine

A study of Vietnam war veterans who suffered brain injuries during the conflict has found that the men show a faster decline in their cognitive functioning as they grow older than veterans without such injuries.

When the researchers looked at the size and position of the brain injury they found that the size (measured as total volume loss by a CT scan) was associated with a decline in intelligence in the earlier phases of the study, and if the left ventricle and right frontal regions of the brain were injured, this also caused a greater decline in intelligence by phase three of study.

The study has found that the rate of decline can be predicted by how intelligent the veterans were before they were injured, their level of education, the size and location of the injury, and certain genetic markers that have been linked to brain injury and neurodegeneration. Greater intelligence and a higher level of education before the injury was sustained were associated with a lesser decline in cognitive functioning in the years afterwards.

Comments

Sodaiho

on Aug 24, 2008

Yes. True. I was shot in the right side of my head, paralysing the left side of my body. Through the early years, I "recovered" much use, but in the last five ior ten years, this use is slipping away toward complete paralysis again. In addition, my executive function has diminished (the ability to organize, leep appointments straight, etc.). Memory loss is a factor as well. While in mt doctoral program I was a 4.0 student, I doubt that would be the case now.

Its often called premature aging brain syndrome. I am diagnosed with it. And the VA and SSA are both compensating me at 100% disability. Its sort of like having Alzheimer's Disease. Much of the treatment focuses on AD type meds, such as Namenda and Aricept.

For me it pays to take on mentally challenging projects like learning Hebrew, studying an area I am unfamiliar with and writing daily. I also practice extended periods of meditation, run/stumble/or walk two or three miles a day most of the time.

Thanks for the link.

Be well.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!