CONCUSSION INCREASES RISK FOR ALZHEIMER’S

By Smita Patel, DO

 

Dear Readers,

For many families, Thanksgiving and football go hand-in-hand.  But over the years we have learned the stories of football players experiencing the effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition that can be caused by the hundreds or thousands of mini-concussions generated during play of football.  CTE is also common among boxers, is a risk with hockey, soccer, rugby, professional wrestling and mixed martial arts and affects many combat veterans and victims of domestic abuse.  In addition to CTE, head trauma increases risk of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

As adults, we can choose carefully whether we play these games; and it’s important that we think critically when our young loved ones are choosing their sports and activities. Perhaps one day we will have the technology to create helmets that prevent brain injury; but until then it’s important to have the facts to make informed decisions. The more we protect our brains early on, the lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Though concussion increases risk of disease, there are many factors that decrease risk, and as a neurologist, I am thankful for all of the brain-health promoting options that I can share with patients, like the benefits of lifelong learning, following the Mediterranean diet guidelines, and maintaining a lifestyle that is socially engaging.



Dr. Smita Patel, DO, is a neurologist at NorthShore University HealthSystem, and an integral part of NorthShore’s Center for Brain Health. Dr. Patel brings expertise in neurology and sleep along with a proficiency in complementary and integrative medicine to develop tailored health plans for her clients. She is board certified in Neurology and Sleep Medicine. Dr. Patel has participated in clinical research studies in the area of sleep medicine and has written book chapters for several academic publications on neurological disorders. She has a strong interest in researching the cause and treatment of neurological diseases as well as supporting and participating in educational programs. Dr. Patel is part of the integrated team at the Center for Brain Health at NorthShore Neurological Institute, working with patients to reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and other brain disorders, and to improve brain health. For more information, please visit  NorthShore Center for Brain Health.