Early Onset Alzheimers Following Brain Injury...

[sandyRoe]

A doctor has suggested that this may be the cause of a change in behaviour in a young man in his 40s.
Is it a common occurrence in such circumstances?

[Sqad]

I have no idea.

Some reports do suggest that if you have the "Altzheimer gene" then a head injury may hasten the onset of the disease.

It's important to note that many people who sustain a severe head injury never develop Alzheimer's disease or later dementia. More research is needed to understand the link.

I can't answer your question.

[Peter Pedant]

yup - speaking as a non-neurologist - very common

boxers - called punch drunk - then extended to sportsmen of all sorts - not bridge players unless they play with their wives (haha).

happened to this guy: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0440090/?ref_=tt_cl_t5
who had a previous incarnation as a professional football player ( and was nicknamed Biff or something )
and apparently they all get it.

and there is a bit here:

http://www.alz.org/dementia/traumatic-brain-injury-head-trauma-symptoms.asp

[Sqad]

Well there you go PP feels that it is "very common."

[sandyRoe]

I suppose what it's called is immaterial. He is in care but the home are saying that they may not be able to continue to provide the care he needs due to changes in his behaviour. The next place for him might be a long stay psychiatric hospital, That doesn't seem a happy prospect.

[anneasquith]

so is he back in the care home.?......hopefully he will b able to remain there. sandy. is your toe any better ?

[sandyRoe]

He's in a hospital at the moment. I don't know where he'll be going after that.
The toe is lass painful, and less inflamed, so I hope it's getting better.
I won't post any more pics in case I'm further associated with Nazi slogans.

[anneasquith]

if/when he is discharged from hospital hopefully he will be admitted somewhere that provide adequate care for him, poor thing , good news re toe :)

[woofgang]

But isn't being punch drunk caused by multiple injuries to the brain caused by it slopping around in the skull? So its not Alzheimers but brain injury.

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=100

[jno]

apparently they may treat punch drunk boxers with drugs also used for Alzheimers or Parkinsons (which Muhammad Ali has); so as you say, it probably doesn't matter what label you give it

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/410861

[anneasquith]

pp did post ''speaking as a '' non-neurologist''

[sandyRoe]

I sometimes think, "Look at the rabbits, Lenny. Look at the lovely rabbits," would be as humane a way as any.

[anneasquith]

mmmm. alas not an option .

[pixie373]

I've heard of dementia being caused by brain injuries, but not Alzheimer's (I'm not saying it doesn't happen, I'll look into it). The next step, if he needs residential, is a home for people with disabilities, as he is much too young to go to an elderly home (65 plus). However, they are in extremely short supply and we have had younger people in our homes simply because there are no other spaces.
The two brothers i know who got dementia in their 40s from Huntingdons, both have a live-in carer at home, as that was the only practical option.

[pixie373]

From what i can see, a brain injury can increase the risk of Alzheimers and other dementia in later life, particularly if the person was knocked out or unconscious for 24 hours or more.

[Peter Pedant]

call it what you will, boys and girls:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Alzheimers-disease/Pages/Causes.aspx

says:

Whiplash and head injuries
People who have had a severe head injury or severe whiplash (a neck injury caused by a sudden movement of the head) have been found to be at higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease

I agree that one can assert: post-traumatic brain injury in the long term can result in signs and symptoms identical to Alzheimer's - only it isnt...

Since there is no realistic treatment for either, it is a bit academic/philosophical - unless the untreated natural history of the two is different - which I dont think it is.

speaking of course as a non-neurologist

[Peter Pedant]

and so why arent the forests full of brain dead and paralysed wood-peckers ? esp in spring time - very very good question....

perhaps a non neurologist zoologist can answer

[sandyRoe]

They'd be much further up the pecking order if it wasn't for the injuries they suffer securing their daily bread.

[wolf63]

Sandy - it isn't much of a future for the guy. Dementia must be one of the cruelest diseases.

PP - http://askabiologist.asu.edu/plosable/woodpeckers