Falls Resulting in Serious Head Injury May Cause Mental Decline in Elderly

Falls Resulting in Serious Head Injuries May Cause Mental Decline in Elderly

ST. PAUL, MN (February 17, 1999) -- Older adults who fall and seriously injure their head may develop rapid mental decline, according to a study in the February issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

However, minor head injuries caused by falls have no affect on mental ability, according to study results. "This is really good news," said study author Heikki Luukinen, MD, PhD, of the University of Oulu in Finland. "Many people worry that a minor injury will affect how they think, perceive or learn. Rest assured, it won't."

This study examined 588 Finnish adults age 70 years or older. Researchers recorded head injuries caused by falling accidents. Falls caused by a motor vehicles or bicycles were not recorded. Tests in language skills and other tasks were given at the beginning of the study and two and a half years later to evaluate mental ability.

Twenty percent of all serious head injuries (fractures, cuts needing stitches or any other injury requiring medical attention) triggered significant mental decline. "The significant and rapid loss of mental ability is very serious," said Luukinen. "This loss can affect how a person handles a variety of daily living skills such as house cleaning, managing finances and maintaining personal care."

Among those with minor head injuries, nine percent developed marked cognitive decline. Five percent of those with no head injuries developed marked mental decline.

Advanced age, hypertension and use of mind-altering medications are some of the risk factors that increase the likelihood of falls causing major head injury, according to Luukinen.

Among older adults living in their own home or in nursing homes, head injury is one of the most frequent types of injuries caused by falling. According to researchers, 500 falling accidents occur each year among each 1,000 older adults living at home; about six percent of those accidents will result in major head injuries.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 15,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research.

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