Dementia in TBI patients? (original) (raw)
For some reason, I wasn't aware TBI patients were more likely to develop dementia late in life; apparently there was something in the news recently about football players and others who had repeated brain trauma over the years ending up with dementia symptoms.
I'm currently staying with a woman who is 70 and has signs of dementia—particularly forgetfulness and confusion, which I'll admit I already have (to some extent) at the age of 51. Her husband (who returns Tuesday) chalks it up to a concussion she suffered about 13 years ago at the site of the World Trade Center disaster and from which she apparently didn't lose consciousness. I actually don't know anyone who doesn't sometimes question themselves and forget things—it's repeated, pathological forgetfulness we have to worry about.
The reason I'm posting this here is I'd like to have others weigh in on the matter. Has anyone found their mental capacities have declined over time—since their injury? Are there any activities or even foods/supplements they've found to be helpful in promoting better cognition?