Brain injury is a disease, not an event

April 26, 2023

In his recent white paper (Conceptualizing Brain Injury as a Chronic Disease), Brent Masel, M.D., medical director of BIAA, makes the case that brain injury is a disease, not an event. In support of that proposition, Dr. Masel presented stunning statistics showing, among many other things, that persons with traumatic brain injury have higher morbidity and mortality rates than their non-injured cohorts.


A recently published paper entitled Neurodegenerative causes of death among retired National Football League players supports that proposition. The paper, authored by Lehman, EJ, Hein MJ and Barron SL, published online in Neurology (September 5, 2012), analyzed neurodegenerative causes of death especially Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and ALS among a cohort of professional football players.


The research demonstrated that neurodegenerative mortality of this cohort is three times higher than that of the general US population, that for Alzheimer’s disease and ALS it was four times higher. “These results were consistent with recent studies that suggest an increase risk of neurodegenerative disease among football players.” Neurology 2012; 79:1-1

What is a concussion?

By Steve Gerdes • April 29, 2025
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. It is the physiological disruption of brain function caused by trauma that is manifested by at least one of the following: Any period of loss of consciousness; Any loss of memory for events immediately before or after the accident; Any alteration in mental state at the time of accident (e.g. feeling dazed, disoriented, or confused) Focal neurological deficit(s) that may or may not be transient. A person does not have to hit his or her head or be hit by an object. The movement of the brain inside the skull, such as in a whiplash injury, may be sufficient to cause damage.

Brain Injury and Fatigue

By Steve Gerdes • April 29, 2025
Some people who suffer a concussion become easily tired and fatigued. This can happen for a variety of reasons. The brain powers itself off of the body's glucose. When the brain has been injured it may need more energy to repair itself or to process confusing sensory information it receives from the eyes and other parts of the body. Another factor can be problems with sleep whether caused by pain or by central sleep apnea. In yet other cases, some brain damage occurred in the brain stem area, which includes the areas responsible for regulating the autonomic nervous system. When doctors become aware of a patient with complaints of fatigue, they can order special tests such as Autonomic Nervous System testing and the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill test to diagnose the condition. Correct diagnoses help doctors know the best therapy to help patients get better.

Balance Deficits and Dizziness after Brain Injury

By Steve Gerdes • April 29, 2025
About 78% of persons who suffer brain injury or concussion develop problems with dizziness and balance. ENT doctors with a sub-specialty in neuro-otology are ideally suited to treat these conditions because of their additional training in treating vestibular (balance) conditions. Neuro-otologists work closely with specially training physical therapists to provide therapy designed to improve balance. After treatment, most patients with brain injury find that their balance has significantly improved

Brain Injury and Problems with Balance

By Steve Gerdes • April 29, 2025
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Vision difficulties after brain injury

By Steve Gerdes • April 29, 2025
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Brain injury & Alzheimers

By Steve Gerdes • April 29, 2025
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