“ Having a TBI should be a reason to take better care of your brain through diet, exercise, sleep, stress management, and other brain healthy behaviors.”
Issue 34.4 FALL 2025 impairs the brain and other organ systems and may persist or progress over a person’ s lifetime. Previous research has linked TBI to poor brain health in the form of cognitive decline and dementia risks, but scientists still aim to understand why these problems develop. The new study examined whether accelerated biological aging could help explain these health consequences.
Biological aging measures the rate at which a person’ s body declines over time, but some people age biologically faster than others. Researchers used blood samples to assess aging markers that predict future health problems, including chronic disease and early death. The findings suggest TBIs, particularly those sustained during deployment, may put veterans at a higher risk for age-related health complications as they grow older.
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study analyzing blood samples from 1,152 post-9 / 11 veterans with an average age of 37 years enrolled in a long-term study with the Veterans Affairs VISN 6 Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness research, Education and Clinical Center. In this multi-site study, participants underwent clinical interviews about their history of traumatic brain injuries, including when and how the injuries occurred. Scientists used blood samples to measure epigenetic changes – chemical modifications to DNA that respond to environmental factors – to assess biological aging rates. Unlike permanent genetic traits, these epigenetic changes can be influenced by factors like injuries or stress, making them potentially reversible. The aging measure, called DunedinPACE, predicts future health outcomes.
Bourassa believes the findings could help identify approaches to improve health for people with a traumatic brain injury saying,“ We know more work is needed, but our findings highlight the importance of integrating TBI screenings and tailored interventions into veteran health care frameworks, which could help address the long-term health consequences associated with military service-related brain injuries.”
“ This study provides further evidence that TBI can be a risk factor for abnormal aging, but what is important is what we can do about it,” observed John Corrigan, National Research Director for the Brain Injury Association of America( BIAA) and editor-in-chief of the Journal for Head Trauma Rehabilitation.
“ Having a TBI should be a reason to take better care of your brain through diet, exercise, sleep, stress management, and other brain healthy behaviors. BIAA promotes identification of TBI with programs like Concussion Awareness Now, so people can learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion and ways to make healthy choices moving forward.” g
“ Having a TBI should be a reason to take better care of your brain through diet, exercise, sleep, stress management, and other brain healthy behaviors.”
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