Abstract

In light of growing evidence that TBI increases risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is recognized as a significant risk factor for the long-term cognitive health of military personnel. This article examines the neurocognitive and neuropathologic changes that can occur following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), with a focus on the potential for military personnel to develop cognitive decline throughout their lives. The aging military population’s implications for cognition monitoring and surveillance are discussed. The mechanistic link between these factors and dementia and the provision of empirically supported interventions to lessen the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on cognition across the lifespan require additional research.