We talk to Dr. Bruce Lamb, Head of the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute at Indiana University, about how a traumatic brain injury can kick-start inflammation in the brain and, potentially, lead to dementia.
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Great interface. I can comment on that with personal experience. I began playing Pee Wee Pop Warner in 1970 at age 11, and was knocked unconscious in a Bull in the Ring and hospitalized at age 13. My last “diagnosed” concussion occurred my rookie season with the 49ers in 1980 against the Cowboys when they administered over 15 smelling salts to me during the game to keep me on the field. Early in the following 81 Super Bowl season I developed hydrocephalus (water on the brain) at age 22 and survived 3 emergency VP Shunt brain surgeries in 8 months and given last rites. In 86-87 I survived 5 more brain surgeries and several gran mal seizures, and my 9th emergency VP shunt brain surgery in 93. By my late 20’s I was already showing many pre dementia symptoms and by my mid 40’s diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia.
People are beginning to realize it’s not just concussions but the 1,000’s of subconcussive hits which are equally or more damaging.
I’m not sure why there is still an argument as to wether kids (or anyone), should play contact sports. All those impacts and jostling of young developing brains starts the inflammation cascade which can ultimately progress into dementia like I have.
Thank you for telling your story! 10 years ago I suffered a TBI and other physical injuries from a motor vehicle accident. I always wondered, as I adjusted to my new normal, why my TBI was so bad. It didn’t take long for me to figure it out. I played competitive soccer for 15 years!! I am now a brain donor. Thank God for these stories! Thank you!