A Concussion Can Increase the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis

A Concussion Can Increase the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis

A large medical study was recently published showing that those who suffer a concussion during their teenage years might be at risk of developing a neurological disease called multiple sclerosis later in life. Over the past few years, there has been a lot of attention paid to concussions, and numerous research studies have been presented. Prior research studies have indicated that even a single TBI can lead to devastating effects later in life. In addition, concussions can have immediate impacts on someone’s ability to concentrate on school or work, can lead to emotional lability and temper tantrums, and can interfere with sleep. The new research study linking concussions to multiple sclerosis is another important step in better understanding just how head injuries can impact someone’s health down the road.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis, often abbreviated MS, is an autoimmune disease that impacts the body’s nervous system. The job of the immune system is to fight off invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Sometimes, the immune system can get sidetracked and can start attacking its own body. This is what happens in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

When someone has been diagnosed with this neurological disease, the body’s immune system has targeted the coating of nerves throughout the body. This coating is called the myelin sheath. When the immune system destroys the myelin sheath, the body has trouble transmitting motor and sensory signals to various organs and tissues. As a result, people develop serious symptoms including visual problems, chronic pain, increased fatigue, and difficulty with coordination.

In addition, multiple sclerosis can vary in severity from person to person. Some people might only experience symptoms from time to time. Others might have severe symptoms that never fully disappear. This can be a tremendous quality of life issue for the individual and their family members.

The Design of the Research Study

A team of research professionals presented the findings of their study at a large medical conference earlier this year. The researchers studied individuals who were between the ages of 11 and 18 years old. In total, they reviewed the charts for close to 400,000 people spread out over a 20-year study period. Close to a quarter of these individuals had been diagnosed with at least one concussion, a form of traumatic brain injury, during their teenage years. The researchers then proceeded to compare the health records of these individuals with those who had not been diagnosed with a concussion.

The Results of the Study

When the researchers compared those who had been diagnosed with a concussion during their teenage years with those who had not, they found an interesting trend. At 15 years or longer following the concussion, these individuals (now adults) had a statistically significantly increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis. Interestingly, there was no difference in the risk of developing MS prior to 15 years.

Furthermore, males were more likely than females to develop MS. In addition, they were more likely to develop MS sooner than their female counterparts. These results show that concussions are correlated to an increased risk of MS down the road, which those who suffer head injuries should keep in mind.

By understanding the link between concussions and multiple sclerosis, doctors and patients can keep their eyes out for signs of MS. That way, this condition can be diagnosed more quickly. This means that patients can have access to treatment options more quickly. While there is no cure, there are treatments that can slow the progression of this neurological disease, preserving someone’s quality of life.

San Francisco Brain Injury Lawyer 

I’m Ed Smith, a San Francisco Brain Injury Lawyer. Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive neurologic disease that might develop following a concussion during the teenage years. If someone you care about has sustained a serious brain injury due to the negligence of another person or entity, please contact me today at (415) 805-7284 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.