Mild TBI Can Lead to Changes on MRI, Clinical Findings in Middle-Aged Adults

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a known risk factor for dementia; however, studies on this have focused on severe trauma patients or contact sport athletes. The extent of mild TBI in the population at large and corresponding imaging findings have not been well evaluated. Objective: To evaluate a cognitively healthy middle-aged population for clinical and MRI findings associated with TBI. Participants/Methods: 617 patients from the PREVENT Dementia program were included in the study. Patients were middle aged (40 to 59 years) and could not have any incidental MRI findings. Data were collected between 2014 and 2020 in the UK and Ireland. Clinical assessment was done with cognitive tests and included assessment of depression, sleep quality, and gait disturbance. There was an alcohol cutoff of >21 units per week. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the Framingham Risk Score. History of TBI was obtained using a screening questionnaire. TBI was defined as at least 1 blow to more...