August 2025

NEUROSCIENCES

HIGHER MALIGNANT BRAIN TUMOR RISK FOUND IN ADULTS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Recent research suggests a potential link between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a higher risk of brain tumors, particularly among veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. However, results in civilian populations have been inconsistent, highlighting the need for further investigation.

A study published in JAMA Network Open, involving Stephen T. Magill, MD, PhD, explored whether TBI history in adults could lead to an increased chance of developing brain tumors. Using patient data from January 2000 to January 2024 and advanced statistical modeling, the study compared patients with mild or severe TBI to a matched control group without TBI.
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Key Findings
  • Individuals with moderate to severe TBI had a significantly higher incidence of malignant brain tumors compared to those with mild TBI and the control group.
  • Those with moderate or severe TBI faced a much greater risk of developing these tumors, even when considering factors such as age and sex.
  • Results were consistent with data from other studies.
Stephen T. Magill, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery at Northwestern Medicine

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