A concussion is often described as a “mild” traumatic brain injury. Yet repeated blows to the head rarely feel mild and the impacts — including changes in movement, memory, mood and brain function — may last for months or years.
Athletes, military personnel, people involved in vehicle collisions, older adults who experience falls and people experiencing intimate partner violence are all especially susceptible to repeated head injuries. And these are associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative conditions, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy and Parkinson’s disease.
