Large brain analysis finds dementia risk tied to advanced stages of the disease.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently reported the findings of a federally funded study conducted by researchers at the Boston University CTE Center and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) found a significant association between severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and dementia risk.
Researchers determined through analysis of hundreds of donated brains from individuals with histories of repeated head impacts that people with advanced CTE were significantly more likely to have experienced dementia during life, while early-stage CTE showed no measurable link to cognitive decline, mood changes, or functional impairment. The study excluded donors with other common neurodegenerative diseases to isolate the effects of CTE.
“By examining hundreds of brains and ruling out other common neurodegenerative diseases, the team could look at CTE alone and linked it to symptoms reported during life,” said Acting Director of the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Dr. Amy Bany Adams.
“Understanding which brain changes drive cognitive decline is essential,” said Director of the NIH’s National Institute on Aging (NIA), Dr. Richard Hodes. “This study shows that only severe CTE has a clear link to dementia, which provides an important distinction for researchers, healthcare providers, and families.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For NIH researchers and clinicians working to understand brain injury and long-term neurological disease.
- For individuals and families affected by dementia and neurodegenerative conditions.
- For public health agencies supporting evidence-based research into prevention and long-term care.
Sources: National Institutes of Health
