Researchers have recently concluded that some college football players show signs of a traumatic brain injury deep within the part of the brain responsible for controlling emotion and thinking, whether they have suffered concussions or not. The brain injury research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, adds to the growing evidence that even mild head trauma can cause real, lasting brain damage.
Latest Brain Injury Research: Mild Contact Can Cause TBI
The researchers compared high-resolution brain images for 25 college-level football athletes with a known history of concussions, 25 matches with people who were not players and 25 players who had not sustained a brain injury. They also evaluated cognitive function and considered how long the men had been playing the sport.
According to the latest brain injury research, the greatest damage occurred in players who started young and suffered repeated concussions. Health officials have used outreach programs to cut injury rates and increase awareness, particularly in youth sports where there was little attention to the potential damage to the brain from collisions. Studies have found abnormalities in the brains of players in the National Football League as well preventable deaths in younger players who remained on the field after taking violent blows to the head.
Results of the brain injury research study showed that both sets of players had considerably smaller volume in the portion of the brain that is responsible for emotion and memory, rather than just the men who had sustained repeat injuries. While their thinking and memories were not impaired, it took longer for the participants to answer questions, and their reaction times were slower.
The main thing to remember, brain injury research scientists report, is to seek medical attention when in doubt. Traumatic brain injury is real, they state, and many people mistakenly believe that once the symptoms are gone, then the individual is healed. Such is not always the case. The results of the study suggest that further evaluation is needed to determine the true short- and long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries, regardless of a mild or severe blow to the head.
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If you or someone you love has sustained a traumatic brain injury or significant brain damage due to the negligence of another, you may have legal recourse. The Attorney Group can discuss potential claims on behalf of individuals who believe they are able to seek damages for their injuries. We can evaluate your case at no cost to you and connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you in seeking the compensation to which you may be entitled.
