Men and women are known to differ from one another in terms of their brain anatomy as well as their propensity for mental illness after a brain injury. Mental illness in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder and depression affect women after a brain injury more than men. A study by the Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences found a correlation that may explain this difference between men and women.
Researchers found that mild traumatic brain injuries disrupt the body’s neuroendocrine system. This disruption alters stress hormones in a way that affects women more than it affects men. They made this discovery by examining the hormonal, anatomical and behavioral systems in the bodies of individuals who had mild traumatic brain injuries caused by explosions.
The investigators stated that although there are no treatments available for the mental health symptoms that occur after a mild traumatic brain injury, they are hopeful that their discovery will lead to better treatments being created. Their research is important as around 1.5 million people experience traumatic brain injuries yearly.
Traumatic brain injuries can happen in a variety of circumstances. A person can suffer a brain injury while playing sports, slipping and falling on a wet floor or in a traffic accident. If a person suffers brain damage because of the negligence of another party, such as a distracted or impaired driver or a shop owner who failed to mitigate a hazardous situation, a personal injury attorney could be of assistance in seeking compensation for medical expenses and other losses.