Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
09:49
Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: January 20, 2023
Understanding traumatic brain injury in elderly populations: a developing country perspective
Gabriel de Moraes Ribeiro1, Matheus Ballestero2, Leandro Candido de Souza3
1Division of Neurosurgery, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Elderly healthcare faces a growing challenge from Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs). This study in Brazil reveals falls are the main cause, highlighting the need for public health strategies to manage TBI incidence and costs.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Global life expectancy increases necessitate greater focus on elderly healthcare.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) present a significant challenge in older adults due to increased susceptibility.
- Understanding TBI epidemiology in the elderly is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiological patterns of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in elderly individuals within a developing country context.
- To analyze the incidence, outcomes, and economic costs associated with TBI in older adults.
- To identify key factors influencing TBI outcomes in the elderly population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cross-sectional study design.
- Inclusion of 1175 elderly TBI patients from a Brazilian tertiary trauma center (2010-2022).
- Logistic regression analysis to determine predictors of unfavorable outcomes.
Main Results:
- Falls accounted for the majority (76.9%) of TBIs in the elderly population.
- Mild TBIs were predominant (89.3%), with an average annual hospitalization rate of 90 cases.
- Advanced age, lower education, and intracranial injuries were significant predictors of poor outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) incidence and economic burden are increasing among elderly populations in developing nations.
- There is an urgent need for targeted public health policies and resource allocation to address elderly TBI.
- Effective prevention and management strategies are essential to mitigate the impact of TBI on aging populations.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction
DefinitionTraumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a disturbance of normal brain function induced by an external mechanical force, such as a direct blow to the head or a penetrating injury. It can affect both brain structure and function, producing a wide range of clinical outcomes. TBI is a heterogeneous condition, meaning its effects may differ based on the type, location, and severity of the injury.Basis of ClassificationTBI is classified based on severity, injury mechanism, or pathophysiology. In...
01:22Dementia l: Introduction
Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
01:29Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...