Biology
Long-Term Cognitive Effects of Repeated Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Quick fact
A single mild traumatic brain injury rarely causes permanent cognitive issues, but repeated injuries—even those without loss of consciousness—can increase the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and dementia by 2–5 times.
Why this is interesting
Athletes who have suffered multiple concussions often worry about their future memory — the fear is real: repeated mild hits can trigger a cascade that steals cognition years later. But what exactly happens in the brain?