What seems like a simple concussion could result in serious long-term problems.
One study at Mount Allison University recently showed there exists a link between long-term memory loss and concussions.
Jennifer Tomes, the psychology professor who led the study, performed detailed research on the topic of concussions and memory loss by interviewing people who had suffered concussions and also experienced a full recovery.
Individuals were asked to share memories from the previous 12 months, from childhood and from high school.
The researchers discovered the individuals who suffered a concussion recalled just as many memories as their non-concussion suffering counterparts, but the way they described those memories was different.
Essentially, the concussion sufferers used fewer and different words when describing their memories. The words the individuals chose suggested they could not remember the events as well as others might have been able to.
The researchers say the patients were not as involved in re-experiencing and remembering the events as might be expected.
They also concluded their studies showed evidence the impacts associated with concussions can — in many cases — be a lot longer than is conventionally thought. They further contend concussions lead to memory deficits.
A concussion is a serious medical event. Those who have been injured in an accident that resulted in concussion should therefore seek medical attention for a thorough evaluation as soon as possible. They will also want to have a regular checkup for at different times in the months and years following the incident.
