A recent study published in *JAMA Network Open* has found that older adults who suffer traumatic injuries from falls are over 20% more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Conducted by researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, the retrospective study analyzed data from over 2 million seniors who experienced traumatic falls. More than 10% of those individuals were diagnosed with dementia within a year after their injury.
The study revealed that the average age of those who fell was 78, with women more likely to experience falls than men. Adults over 65 who sustain traumatic injuries from falls are already at a heightened risk for cognitive decline. While some types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, result from the gradual death of brain cells, traumatic brain injuries can contribute to dementia by directly damaging brain cells. Repetitive head injuries, often seen in certain sports, have been linked to an increased risk of dementia later in life.
Dr. Molly Jarman, senior author of the study and assistant professor at Brigham, noted that the relationship between falls and cognitive diseases is a “two-way street.” Meanwhile, lead author Dr. Alexander Ordoobadi explained that the study’s findings do not establish a direct cause-and-effect link between falls and dementia. In some cases, patients may have had mild cognitive impairment at the time of the fall, which progressed to dementia. Others may have had undiagnosed dementia that was formally diagnosed after the fall due to increased contact with healthcare professionals.
Dr. Clifford Segil, a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, added that while the trauma from a fall might not directly cause dementia, falls could aggravate existing conditions like subdural hematomas or brain bruising, which might worsen cognitive decline. He also noted that some forms of dementia, such as Lewy body dementia or Parkinson’s dementia, may increase the likelihood of falls.
As reported by medicalnewstoday, Experts emphasize that older adults who experience falls should undergo cognitive screening to aid in the early detection of dementia. Dr. Segil highlighted that various medical conditions common in aging, such as heart disease or diabetes, may increase the risk of falls and potentially signal the onset of dementia. He supports cognitive screenings for seniors who suffer frequent falls, as early detection could improve care and quality of life for patients at risk of dementia.