In addition to neck pain and stiffness, individuals who experience sudden acceleration and deceleration of the head and neck—such as during a whiplash injury—may also develop symptoms more commonly associated with brain injury, including memory impairment. These cognitive symptoms can persist for a year or more in some patients and may significantly affect daily functioning, including the ability to attend school or pursue a career. Why can memory impairment occur in patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD), and is it possible to reduce the risk of long-term problems following an automobile collision?
It’s important to understand that the brain does not…
