Daniel Perl, MD from the Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine Brain Tissue Repository (CNRM), Bethesda, MD discusses the difficulties associated with studying the impact of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) on the subsequent development of dementia. Dr Perl also talks to us about the relationship between the environmental and genetic factors contributing to dementia, what studies into TBI could mean in terms of understanding and preventing the disorder, and the potential avenues of research associated with differentiating forms of TBI. This interview was recorded at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in London, UK.