Low Cognitive Skills Linked to Higher Risk of Brain Injury

Young men who score low on cognitive tests, and have a low social economic status, have a much higher risk of suffering a traumatic brain injury, than those who perform high on such tests. A new study firmly links cognitive function, social status, problems with alcohol, and other factors with a much higher risk of suffering a brain injury.

The research was conducted in Sweden, where researchers analyzed over than 300,000 men who were conscripted for military service. All of these men were administered a cognitive test, and the researchers then followed up these men for the next 19 years.

Out of the more than 305,885 men recruited for the study, 4,713 had suffered at least one traumatic brain injury before they received the cognitive test. A further 11,217 men suffered at least one injury during the study period, while 795 men suffered at least two traumatic brain injuries during the study period.

The researchers found that cognitive function was approximately 5.6% lower in those men who had suffered a traumatic brain injury in the 2 years before they were given the cognitive or mental skills test. The cognitive function was also found to be approximately 15% less in those men who suffered brain injuries during the study period.

Other risk factors for a traumatic brain injury were low-income, high physical fitness, admission to the hospital for intoxication in the past, and a history of brain injury.

Brain injuries are some of the most catastrophic, life altering injuries, and can have serious repercussions on a person’s physical and emotional health, possibly for the rest of his lifetime. These injuries are all the more serious, because there is no complete cure for traumatic brain injury.

The Houston auto injury lawyers at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers represent persons who have suffered brain injuries in auto accidents, falls or workplace accidents.