Alcohol link to 25% of traumatic brain injuries

ALCOHOL is associated with one in four traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) according to a major new study into brain injuries in Ireland.

The National Report on Traumatic Brain Injury in the Republic of Ireland 2008 found alcohol, which was likely to increase the severity of the injury, was involved in 24% of injuries.

However, this figure jumps to 80% in assaulted patients admitted to neurosurgery units, of which there are two in the country — Beaumont Hospital in Dublin and CUH in Cork.