Women more prone to memory problems after traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injuries can occur as a result of serious accidents. These accidents can range from a slip-and-fall at the local grocery store to a car accident on a busy Pittsburgh highway. While not all traumatic brain injuries are severe, even a relatively mild one can have long-lasting consequences.

A majority of people who suffer mild traumatic brain injuries or concussions will make a full recovery within three months. For 10 to 15 percent of people, concussions will have a more significant effect on their lives. These people may struggle with headaches, fatigue, loss of balance, trouble sleeping, mood disorders or memory loss beyond the average three-month recovery period.

A recent study at Taipei Medical University Shuang-Ho Hospital investigated the differences between men and women in terms of how they heal from a concussion. Participants in the study underwent numerous neuropsychological tests including a short-term memory test called a digit span test and a continuous performance test.

The results showed that female participants tended to have ongoing memory problems. After six weeks, the men who suffered concussions returned to normal brain activity while the women still showed decreased brain activity.

While this is just a preliminary study, Dr. Chi-Jen Chen, who ran the study, warns doctors to be especially careful when treating women with concussions. Both men and women need to be aware of their symptoms and seek medical attention as soon as possible after a head injury.

When a head injury is caused by another party’s negligence, the victim has the right to sue that party and recover damages. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney can improve the odds of a successful settlement or verdict.

Source: Medical Daily, “Following A Concussion, More Women Than Men Experience Short-Term Memory Problems,” Susan Scutti, April 28, 2015