Depression is a major risk factor following brain injury - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

5/18/10

Study suggests depression is a major risk factor following brain injury

By Karin McCay| email

Edited by Kristin Beerman | email 

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) – A new study suggests there is a high rate of depression in the first year following a brain injury.  If families don't look for that and it goes undiagnosed, it could lead to more problems later in life.  The study in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association also found that women were the most vulnerable, particularly between the ages of 30 and 44.

"Even among those with no history of major depression prior to their injury, 41% experienced an episode of depression in the year following their injury," said Jesse R. Fann, M.D., with the University of Washington.

Dr. Fann co-authored the study which followed more than 500 patients for a year after a traumatic brain injury. They found less than half who became depressed received any kind of treatment for depression.

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