New research suggests that traumatic brain injury (TBI) may accelerate Alzheimer’s disease by disrupting brain blood vessels, challenging conventional theories on neurodegeneration.
A study led by Lund University found that patients with TBI showed increased amyloid-beta accumulation—a key marker of Alzheimer’s—linked to changes in vascular smooth muscle cells. Examining brain tissue from 15 patients within a week of their injuries, researchers discovered that even young individuals exhibited these changes, suggesting vascular dysfunction could be an early driver of neurodegeneration.
Traditionally, Alzheimer’s has been thought to result from neuronal damage, but these findings indicate that blood vessel impairment may trigger disease progression. The study underscores the need for further research into vascular-targeted treatments to mitigate long-term cognitive decline in TBI patients.
Reference: Özen I, Marklund N, et al. Vascular Dysfunction and Amyloid Accumulation in Traumatic Brain Injury. Lund University, 2025.