Demographic differences in the association of traumatic brain injury with dementia Race matters

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common,(1)with a significant number of TBIs occurring among active duty service members and veterans.(2)The sequelae of TBI are long-lasting, and many studies have found TBI to be a risk factor for the development of dementia.(3)Several studies have investigated differences in the association of TBI with dementia risk by age at injury and injury severity, reporting that TBI occurring at an older age and more severe injuries are more strongly associated with dementia risk.(4)Far less is known about possible race and sex differences in dementia risk following TBI; this knowledge gap has particular importance to military populations as our service members become more diverse.(5)Therefore, we urgently need to identify any sex- and race-based disparities in post-TBI dementia risk, which may inform health care for older veterans.