Lau, K M; Madden, E; Neylan, T C; Seal, K H; Maguen, S
Assessing for mild TBI among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans: Outcomes of injury severity and neurological factors Journal Article
In: Brain Injury, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 287–294, 2016.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *Afghan Campaign 2001-, *Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], *Iraq War, *Veterans/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data], 2003-2011, adult, Brain Concussion/pp [Physiopathology], Brain Concussion/px [Psychology], Cohort Studies, Female, Humans, Injury Severity Score, Male, middle aged, Military personnel, Post-Traumatic/di [Diagnosis], Post-Traumatic/pp [Physiopatholo, Post-Traumatic/px [Psychology], Retrospective Studies, self report, Stress Disorders, UNITED States, United States Department of Veterans Affairs
@article{Lau2016a,
title = {Assessing for mild TBI among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans: Outcomes of injury severity and neurological factors},
author = {Lau, K M and Madden, E and Neylan, T C and Seal, K H and Maguen, S},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-01-01},
journal = {Brain Injury},
volume = {30},
number = {3},
pages = {287--294},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To investigate injury severity markers and neurological symptoms associated with clinician-confirmed mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. SETTING: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centre and five affiliated community-based outpatient clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred and fifty Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with positive initial VA TBI screens between 1 April 2007 and 1 June 2010 and clinician-confirmed TBI status by 1 December 2010. METHODS: Retrospective-cohort study of medical record data. Main measures included clinician-confirmed TBI status, injury severity markers (e.g. loss of consciousness (LOC), post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) or confusion/disorientation) and neurological symptoms. RESULTS: Among veterans who screened positive on the initial VA TBI and then received a clinician evaluation, 60% were confirmed to have a TBI diagnosis. Veterans reporting at least one LOC, confusion or PTA were almost 18-times more likely to receive a confirmed TBI diagnosis. Odds of clinician-confirmed TBI were 2.5-3-times greater among those who endorsed dizziness, poor coordination, headaches, nausea, vision problems and/or irritability, compared to those not endorsing these symptoms. Nausea had greatest utility for confirming a TBI. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of neurologic symptoms that most contribute to a clinician-confirmed diagnosis of TBI has potential for streamlining detection of TBI and symptoms needed for treatment.},
keywords = {*Afghan Campaign 2001-, *Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], *Iraq War, *Veterans/sn [Statistics \& Numerical Data], 2003-2011, adult, Brain Concussion/pp [Physiopathology], Brain Concussion/px [Psychology], Cohort Studies, Female, Humans, Injury Severity Score, Male, middle aged, Military personnel, Post-Traumatic/di [Diagnosis], Post-Traumatic/pp [Physiopatholo, Post-Traumatic/px [Psychology], Retrospective Studies, self report, Stress Disorders, UNITED States, United States Department of Veterans Affairs},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Dretsch, M N; Kelly, M P; Coldren, R L; Parish, R V; Russell, M L
In: Journal of Neurotrauma, vol. 32, no. 16, pp. 1217–1222, 2015.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: 2003-2011, acute disease, Adolescent, adult, amnesia, ANAM, Article, assessment of humans, Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics, Blast injuries, blast injury, blunt trauma, brain concussion, clinical article, cognition, Cognition Disorders, cognitive screening, comparative study, complication, concussion mechanism, Demography, deployment, Female, follow up, health status, human, Humans, Iraq War, Male, middle aged, Military, Military Acute Concussion Evaluation, Military personnel, neuropsychological test, Neuropsychological Tests, soldier, unconsciousness, UNITED States, War, Young Adult
@article{Dretsch2015a,
title = {No Significant Acute and Subacute Differences between Blast and Blunt Concussions across Multiple Neurocognitive Measures and Symptoms in Deployed Soldiers},
author = {Dretsch, M N and Kelly, M P and Coldren, R L and Parish, R V and Russell, M L},
doi = {10.1089/neu.2014.3637},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Neurotrauma},
volume = {32},
number = {16},
pages = {1217--1222},
abstract = {Seventy-one deployed U.S. Army soldiers who presented for concussion care due to either blast or blunt mechanisms within 72 h of injury were assessed using the Military Acute Concussion Evaluation, the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM), traditional neuropsychological tests, and health status questionnaires. Follow-up ANAM testing was performed 10 d after initial testing (±5 d). Twenty-one soldiers were excluded: two for poor effort and 19 who had combined blast/blunt injuries. Of the remaining 50 male participants, 34 had blast injuries and 16 had blunt injuries. There were no statistically significant differences between blast injury and blunt injury participants in demographic, physical, or psychological health factors, concussive symptoms, or automated and traditional neurocognitive testing scores within 72 h post-injury. In addition, follow-up ANAM scores up to 15 d post-injury were not significantly different (available on 21 blast-injured and 13 blunt-injured subjects). Pre-injury baseline ANAM scores were compared where available, and revealed no statistically significant differences between 22 blast injury and eight blunt injury participants. These findings suggest there are no significant differences between mechanisms of injury during both the acute and subacute periods in neurobehavioral concussion sequelae while deployed in a combat environment. The current study supports the use of sports/mechanical concussion models for early concussion management in the deployed setting and exploration of variability in potential long-term outcomes. © Copyright 2015, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.},
keywords = {2003-2011, acute disease, Adolescent, adult, amnesia, ANAM, Article, assessment of humans, Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics, Blast injuries, blast injury, blunt trauma, brain concussion, clinical article, cognition, Cognition Disorders, cognitive screening, comparative study, complication, concussion mechanism, Demography, deployment, Female, follow up, health status, human, Humans, Iraq War, Male, middle aged, Military, Military Acute Concussion Evaluation, Military personnel, neuropsychological test, Neuropsychological Tests, soldier, unconsciousness, UNITED States, War, Young Adult},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Olivera, A; Lejbman, N; Jeromin, A; French, L M; Kim, H S; Cashion, A; Mysliwiec, V; Diaz-Arrastia, R; Gill, J
Peripheral Total Tau in Military Personnel Who Sustain Traumatic Brain Injuries During Deployment Journal Article
In: JAMA Neurology, vol. 72, no. 10, pp. 1109–1116, 2015.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *Brain Concussion/me [Metabolism], *Brain Injuries/me [Metabolism], *Depression/me [Metabolism], *Military Personnel, *Stress Disorders, *tau Proteins/bl [Blood], 0 (tau Proteins), 2003-2011, adult, Afghan Campaign 2001-, Brain Concussion/co [Complications], Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], Brain Injuries/co [Complications], Brain Injuries/di [Diagnosis], Depression/co [Complications], Depression/di [Diagnosis], Female, Humans, Iraq War, Male, Post-Traumatic/di [Diagnosis], Post-Traumatic/me [Metabolism], Retrospective Studies, self report, Stress Disorders, Young Adult
@article{Olivera2015,
title = {Peripheral Total Tau in Military Personnel Who Sustain Traumatic Brain Injuries During Deployment},
author = {Olivera, A and Lejbman, N and Jeromin, A and French, L M and Kim, H S and Cashion, A and Mysliwiec, V and Diaz-Arrastia, R and Gill, J},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {JAMA Neurology},
volume = {72},
number = {10},
pages = {1109--1116},
abstract = {IMPORTANCE: Approximately one-third of military personnel who deploy for combat operations sustain 1 or more traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which increases the risk for chronic symptoms of postconcussive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression and for the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Elevated concentrations of tau are observed in blood shortly following a TBI, but, to our knowledge, the role of tau elevations in blood in the onset and maintenance of chronic symptoms after TBI has not been investigated. OBJECTIVES: To assess peripheral tau levels in military personnel exposed to TBI and to examine the relationship between chronic neurological symptoms and tau elevations. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Observational assessment from September 2012 to August 2014 of US military personnel at the Madigan Army Medical Center who had been deployed within the previous 18 months. Plasma total tau concentrations were measured using a novel ultrasensitive single-molecule enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Classification of participants with and without self-reported TBI was made using the Warrior Administered Retrospective Casualty Assessment Tool. Self-reported symptoms of postconcussive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression were determined by the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Military Version, and the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, respectively. Group differences in tau concentrations were determined through analysis of variance models, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve determined the sensitivity and specificity of tau concentrations in predicting TBI and chronic symptoms. Seventy participants with self-reported TBI on the Warrior Administered Retrospective Casualty Assessment Tool and 28 control participants with no TBI exposure were included. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Concentration of total tau in peripheral blood. RESULTS: Concentrations of plasma tau were significantly elevated in the 70 participants with self-reported TBI compared with the 28 controls (mean [SD], 1.13 [0.78] vs 0.63 [0.48] pg/mL, respectively; F1},
keywords = {*Brain Concussion/me [Metabolism], *Brain Injuries/me [Metabolism], *Depression/me [Metabolism], *Military Personnel, *Stress Disorders, *tau Proteins/bl [Blood], 0 (tau Proteins), 2003-2011, adult, Afghan Campaign 2001-, Brain Concussion/co [Complications], Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], Brain Injuries/co [Complications], Brain Injuries/di [Diagnosis], Depression/co [Complications], Depression/di [Diagnosis], Female, Humans, Iraq War, Male, Post-Traumatic/di [Diagnosis], Post-Traumatic/me [Metabolism], Retrospective Studies, self report, Stress Disorders, Young Adult},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Logan, B W; Goldman, S; Zola, M; Mackey, A
Concussive brain injury in the military: September 2001 to the present Journal Article
In: Behav Sci Law, vol. 31, no. 6, pp. 803–813, 2013.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *Brain Concussion/th [Therapy], *Military Personnel/px [Psychology], 2003-2011, Afghan Campaign 2001-, Brain Concussion/co [Complications], Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], Brain Concussion/ep [Epidemiology], Evidence-Based Medicine, Humans, Iraq War, United States/ep [Epidemiology]
@article{Logan2013,
title = {Concussive brain injury in the military: September 2001 to the present},
author = {Logan, B W and Goldman, S and Zola, M and Mackey, A},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-01-01},
journal = {Behav Sci Law},
volume = {31},
number = {6},
pages = {803--813},
abstract = {Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, 1,348,405 citizens have been deployed to combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation New Dawn in Iraq, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan (OEF). During this same period 266,810 (20%) of these individuals have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The majority of these were Army soldiers, with 155,282 (58%) receiving the diagnosis. Mild TBI comprised 82% of the total, with the remainder being moderate to severe. Over this same period the Department of Defense (DoD) has invested $374.9 million to enhance access and quality of care services, including 57 TBI treatment centers in the combat theater and throughout the U.S. The Army's medical research division, the Medical Research and Material Command (MRMC), has invested an additional $700 million to TBI research during this time. The effort has faced a number of challenges, including limited human subject basic and translational research, limited epidemiological data on combat-related injuries, limited capacity and standards for data acquisition, and a lack of standardized evidenced-based protocols for treatment. All these areas have undergone significant growth and development, leading to the comprehensive system of care present today. A further challenge in this patient population has been the clinical co-morbidity of TBI, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic pain syndrome. The Army and the DoD have created treatment programs that are interdisciplinary in clinical approach, targeting particular neuropsychological domains of dysfunction rather than diagnostic category or etiology of injury. This article presents the history of this effort, the challenges to accurate and adequate diagnosis and care that remain, and the future of brain injury clinical and research efforts in the military. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley \& Sons, Ltd.},
keywords = {*Brain Concussion/th [Therapy], *Military Personnel/px [Psychology], 2003-2011, Afghan Campaign 2001-, Brain Concussion/co [Complications], Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], Brain Concussion/ep [Epidemiology], Evidence-Based Medicine, Humans, Iraq War, United States/ep [Epidemiology]},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Omalu, B; Hammers, J L; Bailes, J; Hamilton, R L; Kamboh, M I; Webster, G; Fitzsimmons, R P
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in an Iraqi war veteran with posttraumatic stress disorder who committed suicide Journal Article
In: Neurosurgical Focus, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. E3, 2011.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *Blast Injuries/pa [Pathology], *Blast Injuries/pp [Physiopathology], *Brain Injury, *Combat Disorders/pp [Physiopathology], *Suicide/px [Psychology], 2003-2011, adult, Blast Injuries/co [Complications], Brain Injury, Chronic/co [Complications], Chronic/pa [Pathology], Chronic/pp [Physiopathology], Combat Disorders/px [Psychology], Humans, Iraq War, Male, Post-Traumatic/pp [Physiopatholo, Post-Traumatic/px [Psychology], Stress Disorders, Suicide/pc [Prevention & Control]
@article{Omalu2011,
title = {Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in an Iraqi war veteran with posttraumatic stress disorder who committed suicide},
author = {Omalu, B and Hammers, J L and Bailes, J and Hamilton, R L and Kamboh, M I and Webster, G and Fitzsimmons, R P},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-01-01},
journal = {Neurosurgical Focus},
volume = {31},
number = {5},
pages = {E3},
abstract = {Following his discovery of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in football players in 2002, Dr. Bennet Omalu hypothesized that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military veterans may belong to the CTE spectrum of diseases. The CTE surveillance at the Brain Injury Research Institute was therefore expanded to include deceased military veterans diagnosed with PTSD. The authors report the case of a 27-year-old United States Marine Corps (USMC) Iraqi war veteran, an amphibious assault vehicle crewman, who committed suicide by hanging after two deployments to Fallujah and Ramadi. He experienced combat and was exposed to mortar blasts and improvised explosive device blasts less than 50 m away. Following his second deployment he developed a progressive history of cognitive impairment, impaired memory, behavioral and mood disorders, and alcohol abuse. Neuropsychiatric assessment revealed a diagnosis of PTSD with hyperarousal (irritability and insomnia) and numbing. He committed suicide approximately 8 months after his honorable discharge from the USMC. His brain at autopsy appeared grossly unremarkable except for congestive brain swelling. There was no atrophy or remote focal traumatic brain injury such as contusional necrosis or hemorrhage. Histochemical and immunohistochemical brain tissue analysis revealed CTE changes comprising multifocal, neocortical, and subcortical neurofibrillary tangles and neuritic threads (ranging from none, to sparse, to frequent) with the skip phenomenon, accentuated in the depths of sulci and in the frontal cortex. The subcortical white matter showed mild rarefaction, sparse perivascular and neuropil infiltration by histiocytes, and mild fibrillary astrogliosis. Apolipoprotein E genotype was 3/4. The authors report this case as a sentinel case of CTE in an Iraqi war veteran diagnosed with PTSD to possibly stimulate new lines of thought and research in the possible pathoetiology and pathogenesis of PTSD in military veterans as part of the CTE spectrum of diseases, and as chronic sequelae and outcomes of repetitive traumatic brain injuries.},
keywords = {*Blast Injuries/pa [Pathology], *Blast Injuries/pp [Physiopathology], *Brain Injury, *Combat Disorders/pp [Physiopathology], *Suicide/px [Psychology], 2003-2011, adult, Blast Injuries/co [Complications], Brain Injury, Chronic/co [Complications], Chronic/pa [Pathology], Chronic/pp [Physiopathology], Combat Disorders/px [Psychology], Humans, Iraq War, Male, Post-Traumatic/pp [Physiopatholo, Post-Traumatic/px [Psychology], Stress Disorders, Suicide/pc [Prevention \& Control]},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Lau, K M; Madden, E; Neylan, T C; Seal, K H; Maguen, S
Assessing for mild TBI among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans: Outcomes of injury severity and neurological factors Journal Article
In: Brain Injury, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 287–294, 2016.
@article{Lau2016a,
title = {Assessing for mild TBI among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans: Outcomes of injury severity and neurological factors},
author = {Lau, K M and Madden, E and Neylan, T C and Seal, K H and Maguen, S},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-01-01},
journal = {Brain Injury},
volume = {30},
number = {3},
pages = {287--294},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To investigate injury severity markers and neurological symptoms associated with clinician-confirmed mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. SETTING: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centre and five affiliated community-based outpatient clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred and fifty Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with positive initial VA TBI screens between 1 April 2007 and 1 June 2010 and clinician-confirmed TBI status by 1 December 2010. METHODS: Retrospective-cohort study of medical record data. Main measures included clinician-confirmed TBI status, injury severity markers (e.g. loss of consciousness (LOC), post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) or confusion/disorientation) and neurological symptoms. RESULTS: Among veterans who screened positive on the initial VA TBI and then received a clinician evaluation, 60% were confirmed to have a TBI diagnosis. Veterans reporting at least one LOC, confusion or PTA were almost 18-times more likely to receive a confirmed TBI diagnosis. Odds of clinician-confirmed TBI were 2.5-3-times greater among those who endorsed dizziness, poor coordination, headaches, nausea, vision problems and/or irritability, compared to those not endorsing these symptoms. Nausea had greatest utility for confirming a TBI. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of neurologic symptoms that most contribute to a clinician-confirmed diagnosis of TBI has potential for streamlining detection of TBI and symptoms needed for treatment.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Dretsch, M N; Kelly, M P; Coldren, R L; Parish, R V; Russell, M L
In: Journal of Neurotrauma, vol. 32, no. 16, pp. 1217–1222, 2015.
@article{Dretsch2015a,
title = {No Significant Acute and Subacute Differences between Blast and Blunt Concussions across Multiple Neurocognitive Measures and Symptoms in Deployed Soldiers},
author = {Dretsch, M N and Kelly, M P and Coldren, R L and Parish, R V and Russell, M L},
doi = {10.1089/neu.2014.3637},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Neurotrauma},
volume = {32},
number = {16},
pages = {1217--1222},
abstract = {Seventy-one deployed U.S. Army soldiers who presented for concussion care due to either blast or blunt mechanisms within 72 h of injury were assessed using the Military Acute Concussion Evaluation, the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM), traditional neuropsychological tests, and health status questionnaires. Follow-up ANAM testing was performed 10 d after initial testing (±5 d). Twenty-one soldiers were excluded: two for poor effort and 19 who had combined blast/blunt injuries. Of the remaining 50 male participants, 34 had blast injuries and 16 had blunt injuries. There were no statistically significant differences between blast injury and blunt injury participants in demographic, physical, or psychological health factors, concussive symptoms, or automated and traditional neurocognitive testing scores within 72 h post-injury. In addition, follow-up ANAM scores up to 15 d post-injury were not significantly different (available on 21 blast-injured and 13 blunt-injured subjects). Pre-injury baseline ANAM scores were compared where available, and revealed no statistically significant differences between 22 blast injury and eight blunt injury participants. These findings suggest there are no significant differences between mechanisms of injury during both the acute and subacute periods in neurobehavioral concussion sequelae while deployed in a combat environment. The current study supports the use of sports/mechanical concussion models for early concussion management in the deployed setting and exploration of variability in potential long-term outcomes. © Copyright 2015, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Olivera, A; Lejbman, N; Jeromin, A; French, L M; Kim, H S; Cashion, A; Mysliwiec, V; Diaz-Arrastia, R; Gill, J
Peripheral Total Tau in Military Personnel Who Sustain Traumatic Brain Injuries During Deployment Journal Article
In: JAMA Neurology, vol. 72, no. 10, pp. 1109–1116, 2015.
@article{Olivera2015,
title = {Peripheral Total Tau in Military Personnel Who Sustain Traumatic Brain Injuries During Deployment},
author = {Olivera, A and Lejbman, N and Jeromin, A and French, L M and Kim, H S and Cashion, A and Mysliwiec, V and Diaz-Arrastia, R and Gill, J},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {JAMA Neurology},
volume = {72},
number = {10},
pages = {1109--1116},
abstract = {IMPORTANCE: Approximately one-third of military personnel who deploy for combat operations sustain 1 or more traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which increases the risk for chronic symptoms of postconcussive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression and for the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Elevated concentrations of tau are observed in blood shortly following a TBI, but, to our knowledge, the role of tau elevations in blood in the onset and maintenance of chronic symptoms after TBI has not been investigated. OBJECTIVES: To assess peripheral tau levels in military personnel exposed to TBI and to examine the relationship between chronic neurological symptoms and tau elevations. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Observational assessment from September 2012 to August 2014 of US military personnel at the Madigan Army Medical Center who had been deployed within the previous 18 months. Plasma total tau concentrations were measured using a novel ultrasensitive single-molecule enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Classification of participants with and without self-reported TBI was made using the Warrior Administered Retrospective Casualty Assessment Tool. Self-reported symptoms of postconcussive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression were determined by the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Military Version, and the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, respectively. Group differences in tau concentrations were determined through analysis of variance models, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve determined the sensitivity and specificity of tau concentrations in predicting TBI and chronic symptoms. Seventy participants with self-reported TBI on the Warrior Administered Retrospective Casualty Assessment Tool and 28 control participants with no TBI exposure were included. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Concentration of total tau in peripheral blood. RESULTS: Concentrations of plasma tau were significantly elevated in the 70 participants with self-reported TBI compared with the 28 controls (mean [SD], 1.13 [0.78] vs 0.63 [0.48] pg/mL, respectively; F1},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Logan, B W; Goldman, S; Zola, M; Mackey, A
Concussive brain injury in the military: September 2001 to the present Journal Article
In: Behav Sci Law, vol. 31, no. 6, pp. 803–813, 2013.
@article{Logan2013,
title = {Concussive brain injury in the military: September 2001 to the present},
author = {Logan, B W and Goldman, S and Zola, M and Mackey, A},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-01-01},
journal = {Behav Sci Law},
volume = {31},
number = {6},
pages = {803--813},
abstract = {Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, 1,348,405 citizens have been deployed to combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation New Dawn in Iraq, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan (OEF). During this same period 266,810 (20%) of these individuals have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The majority of these were Army soldiers, with 155,282 (58%) receiving the diagnosis. Mild TBI comprised 82% of the total, with the remainder being moderate to severe. Over this same period the Department of Defense (DoD) has invested $374.9 million to enhance access and quality of care services, including 57 TBI treatment centers in the combat theater and throughout the U.S. The Army's medical research division, the Medical Research and Material Command (MRMC), has invested an additional $700 million to TBI research during this time. The effort has faced a number of challenges, including limited human subject basic and translational research, limited epidemiological data on combat-related injuries, limited capacity and standards for data acquisition, and a lack of standardized evidenced-based protocols for treatment. All these areas have undergone significant growth and development, leading to the comprehensive system of care present today. A further challenge in this patient population has been the clinical co-morbidity of TBI, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic pain syndrome. The Army and the DoD have created treatment programs that are interdisciplinary in clinical approach, targeting particular neuropsychological domains of dysfunction rather than diagnostic category or etiology of injury. This article presents the history of this effort, the challenges to accurate and adequate diagnosis and care that remain, and the future of brain injury clinical and research efforts in the military. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley \& Sons, Ltd.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Omalu, B; Hammers, J L; Bailes, J; Hamilton, R L; Kamboh, M I; Webster, G; Fitzsimmons, R P
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in an Iraqi war veteran with posttraumatic stress disorder who committed suicide Journal Article
In: Neurosurgical Focus, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. E3, 2011.
@article{Omalu2011,
title = {Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in an Iraqi war veteran with posttraumatic stress disorder who committed suicide},
author = {Omalu, B and Hammers, J L and Bailes, J and Hamilton, R L and Kamboh, M I and Webster, G and Fitzsimmons, R P},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-01-01},
journal = {Neurosurgical Focus},
volume = {31},
number = {5},
pages = {E3},
abstract = {Following his discovery of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in football players in 2002, Dr. Bennet Omalu hypothesized that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military veterans may belong to the CTE spectrum of diseases. The CTE surveillance at the Brain Injury Research Institute was therefore expanded to include deceased military veterans diagnosed with PTSD. The authors report the case of a 27-year-old United States Marine Corps (USMC) Iraqi war veteran, an amphibious assault vehicle crewman, who committed suicide by hanging after two deployments to Fallujah and Ramadi. He experienced combat and was exposed to mortar blasts and improvised explosive device blasts less than 50 m away. Following his second deployment he developed a progressive history of cognitive impairment, impaired memory, behavioral and mood disorders, and alcohol abuse. Neuropsychiatric assessment revealed a diagnosis of PTSD with hyperarousal (irritability and insomnia) and numbing. He committed suicide approximately 8 months after his honorable discharge from the USMC. His brain at autopsy appeared grossly unremarkable except for congestive brain swelling. There was no atrophy or remote focal traumatic brain injury such as contusional necrosis or hemorrhage. Histochemical and immunohistochemical brain tissue analysis revealed CTE changes comprising multifocal, neocortical, and subcortical neurofibrillary tangles and neuritic threads (ranging from none, to sparse, to frequent) with the skip phenomenon, accentuated in the depths of sulci and in the frontal cortex. The subcortical white matter showed mild rarefaction, sparse perivascular and neuropil infiltration by histiocytes, and mild fibrillary astrogliosis. Apolipoprotein E genotype was 3/4. The authors report this case as a sentinel case of CTE in an Iraqi war veteran diagnosed with PTSD to possibly stimulate new lines of thought and research in the possible pathoetiology and pathogenesis of PTSD in military veterans as part of the CTE spectrum of diseases, and as chronic sequelae and outcomes of repetitive traumatic brain injuries.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Lau, K M; Madden, E; Neylan, T C; Seal, K H; Maguen, S
Assessing for mild TBI among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans: Outcomes of injury severity and neurological factors Journal Article
In: Brain Injury, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 287–294, 2016.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *Afghan Campaign 2001-, *Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], *Iraq War, *Veterans/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data], 2003-2011, adult, Brain Concussion/pp [Physiopathology], Brain Concussion/px [Psychology], Cohort Studies, Female, Humans, Injury Severity Score, Male, middle aged, Military personnel, Post-Traumatic/di [Diagnosis], Post-Traumatic/pp [Physiopatholo, Post-Traumatic/px [Psychology], Retrospective Studies, self report, Stress Disorders, UNITED States, United States Department of Veterans Affairs
@article{Lau2016a,
title = {Assessing for mild TBI among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans: Outcomes of injury severity and neurological factors},
author = {Lau, K M and Madden, E and Neylan, T C and Seal, K H and Maguen, S},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-01-01},
journal = {Brain Injury},
volume = {30},
number = {3},
pages = {287--294},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To investigate injury severity markers and neurological symptoms associated with clinician-confirmed mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. SETTING: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centre and five affiliated community-based outpatient clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred and fifty Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with positive initial VA TBI screens between 1 April 2007 and 1 June 2010 and clinician-confirmed TBI status by 1 December 2010. METHODS: Retrospective-cohort study of medical record data. Main measures included clinician-confirmed TBI status, injury severity markers (e.g. loss of consciousness (LOC), post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) or confusion/disorientation) and neurological symptoms. RESULTS: Among veterans who screened positive on the initial VA TBI and then received a clinician evaluation, 60% were confirmed to have a TBI diagnosis. Veterans reporting at least one LOC, confusion or PTA were almost 18-times more likely to receive a confirmed TBI diagnosis. Odds of clinician-confirmed TBI were 2.5-3-times greater among those who endorsed dizziness, poor coordination, headaches, nausea, vision problems and/or irritability, compared to those not endorsing these symptoms. Nausea had greatest utility for confirming a TBI. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of neurologic symptoms that most contribute to a clinician-confirmed diagnosis of TBI has potential for streamlining detection of TBI and symptoms needed for treatment.},
keywords = {*Afghan Campaign 2001-, *Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], *Iraq War, *Veterans/sn [Statistics \& Numerical Data], 2003-2011, adult, Brain Concussion/pp [Physiopathology], Brain Concussion/px [Psychology], Cohort Studies, Female, Humans, Injury Severity Score, Male, middle aged, Military personnel, Post-Traumatic/di [Diagnosis], Post-Traumatic/pp [Physiopatholo, Post-Traumatic/px [Psychology], Retrospective Studies, self report, Stress Disorders, UNITED States, United States Department of Veterans Affairs},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Dretsch, M N; Kelly, M P; Coldren, R L; Parish, R V; Russell, M L
In: Journal of Neurotrauma, vol. 32, no. 16, pp. 1217–1222, 2015.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: 2003-2011, acute disease, Adolescent, adult, amnesia, ANAM, Article, assessment of humans, Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics, Blast injuries, blast injury, blunt trauma, brain concussion, clinical article, cognition, Cognition Disorders, cognitive screening, comparative study, complication, concussion mechanism, Demography, deployment, Female, follow up, health status, human, Humans, Iraq War, Male, middle aged, Military, Military Acute Concussion Evaluation, Military personnel, neuropsychological test, Neuropsychological Tests, soldier, unconsciousness, UNITED States, War, Young Adult
@article{Dretsch2015a,
title = {No Significant Acute and Subacute Differences between Blast and Blunt Concussions across Multiple Neurocognitive Measures and Symptoms in Deployed Soldiers},
author = {Dretsch, M N and Kelly, M P and Coldren, R L and Parish, R V and Russell, M L},
doi = {10.1089/neu.2014.3637},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Neurotrauma},
volume = {32},
number = {16},
pages = {1217--1222},
abstract = {Seventy-one deployed U.S. Army soldiers who presented for concussion care due to either blast or blunt mechanisms within 72 h of injury were assessed using the Military Acute Concussion Evaluation, the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM), traditional neuropsychological tests, and health status questionnaires. Follow-up ANAM testing was performed 10 d after initial testing (±5 d). Twenty-one soldiers were excluded: two for poor effort and 19 who had combined blast/blunt injuries. Of the remaining 50 male participants, 34 had blast injuries and 16 had blunt injuries. There were no statistically significant differences between blast injury and blunt injury participants in demographic, physical, or psychological health factors, concussive symptoms, or automated and traditional neurocognitive testing scores within 72 h post-injury. In addition, follow-up ANAM scores up to 15 d post-injury were not significantly different (available on 21 blast-injured and 13 blunt-injured subjects). Pre-injury baseline ANAM scores were compared where available, and revealed no statistically significant differences between 22 blast injury and eight blunt injury participants. These findings suggest there are no significant differences between mechanisms of injury during both the acute and subacute periods in neurobehavioral concussion sequelae while deployed in a combat environment. The current study supports the use of sports/mechanical concussion models for early concussion management in the deployed setting and exploration of variability in potential long-term outcomes. © Copyright 2015, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.},
keywords = {2003-2011, acute disease, Adolescent, adult, amnesia, ANAM, Article, assessment of humans, Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics, Blast injuries, blast injury, blunt trauma, brain concussion, clinical article, cognition, Cognition Disorders, cognitive screening, comparative study, complication, concussion mechanism, Demography, deployment, Female, follow up, health status, human, Humans, Iraq War, Male, middle aged, Military, Military Acute Concussion Evaluation, Military personnel, neuropsychological test, Neuropsychological Tests, soldier, unconsciousness, UNITED States, War, Young Adult},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Olivera, A; Lejbman, N; Jeromin, A; French, L M; Kim, H S; Cashion, A; Mysliwiec, V; Diaz-Arrastia, R; Gill, J
Peripheral Total Tau in Military Personnel Who Sustain Traumatic Brain Injuries During Deployment Journal Article
In: JAMA Neurology, vol. 72, no. 10, pp. 1109–1116, 2015.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *Brain Concussion/me [Metabolism], *Brain Injuries/me [Metabolism], *Depression/me [Metabolism], *Military Personnel, *Stress Disorders, *tau Proteins/bl [Blood], 0 (tau Proteins), 2003-2011, adult, Afghan Campaign 2001-, Brain Concussion/co [Complications], Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], Brain Injuries/co [Complications], Brain Injuries/di [Diagnosis], Depression/co [Complications], Depression/di [Diagnosis], Female, Humans, Iraq War, Male, Post-Traumatic/di [Diagnosis], Post-Traumatic/me [Metabolism], Retrospective Studies, self report, Stress Disorders, Young Adult
@article{Olivera2015,
title = {Peripheral Total Tau in Military Personnel Who Sustain Traumatic Brain Injuries During Deployment},
author = {Olivera, A and Lejbman, N and Jeromin, A and French, L M and Kim, H S and Cashion, A and Mysliwiec, V and Diaz-Arrastia, R and Gill, J},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {JAMA Neurology},
volume = {72},
number = {10},
pages = {1109--1116},
abstract = {IMPORTANCE: Approximately one-third of military personnel who deploy for combat operations sustain 1 or more traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which increases the risk for chronic symptoms of postconcussive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression and for the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Elevated concentrations of tau are observed in blood shortly following a TBI, but, to our knowledge, the role of tau elevations in blood in the onset and maintenance of chronic symptoms after TBI has not been investigated. OBJECTIVES: To assess peripheral tau levels in military personnel exposed to TBI and to examine the relationship between chronic neurological symptoms and tau elevations. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Observational assessment from September 2012 to August 2014 of US military personnel at the Madigan Army Medical Center who had been deployed within the previous 18 months. Plasma total tau concentrations were measured using a novel ultrasensitive single-molecule enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Classification of participants with and without self-reported TBI was made using the Warrior Administered Retrospective Casualty Assessment Tool. Self-reported symptoms of postconcussive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression were determined by the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Military Version, and the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, respectively. Group differences in tau concentrations were determined through analysis of variance models, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve determined the sensitivity and specificity of tau concentrations in predicting TBI and chronic symptoms. Seventy participants with self-reported TBI on the Warrior Administered Retrospective Casualty Assessment Tool and 28 control participants with no TBI exposure were included. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Concentration of total tau in peripheral blood. RESULTS: Concentrations of plasma tau were significantly elevated in the 70 participants with self-reported TBI compared with the 28 controls (mean [SD], 1.13 [0.78] vs 0.63 [0.48] pg/mL, respectively; F1},
keywords = {*Brain Concussion/me [Metabolism], *Brain Injuries/me [Metabolism], *Depression/me [Metabolism], *Military Personnel, *Stress Disorders, *tau Proteins/bl [Blood], 0 (tau Proteins), 2003-2011, adult, Afghan Campaign 2001-, Brain Concussion/co [Complications], Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], Brain Injuries/co [Complications], Brain Injuries/di [Diagnosis], Depression/co [Complications], Depression/di [Diagnosis], Female, Humans, Iraq War, Male, Post-Traumatic/di [Diagnosis], Post-Traumatic/me [Metabolism], Retrospective Studies, self report, Stress Disorders, Young Adult},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Logan, B W; Goldman, S; Zola, M; Mackey, A
Concussive brain injury in the military: September 2001 to the present Journal Article
In: Behav Sci Law, vol. 31, no. 6, pp. 803–813, 2013.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *Brain Concussion/th [Therapy], *Military Personnel/px [Psychology], 2003-2011, Afghan Campaign 2001-, Brain Concussion/co [Complications], Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], Brain Concussion/ep [Epidemiology], Evidence-Based Medicine, Humans, Iraq War, United States/ep [Epidemiology]
@article{Logan2013,
title = {Concussive brain injury in the military: September 2001 to the present},
author = {Logan, B W and Goldman, S and Zola, M and Mackey, A},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-01-01},
journal = {Behav Sci Law},
volume = {31},
number = {6},
pages = {803--813},
abstract = {Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, 1,348,405 citizens have been deployed to combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation New Dawn in Iraq, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan (OEF). During this same period 266,810 (20%) of these individuals have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The majority of these were Army soldiers, with 155,282 (58%) receiving the diagnosis. Mild TBI comprised 82% of the total, with the remainder being moderate to severe. Over this same period the Department of Defense (DoD) has invested $374.9 million to enhance access and quality of care services, including 57 TBI treatment centers in the combat theater and throughout the U.S. The Army's medical research division, the Medical Research and Material Command (MRMC), has invested an additional $700 million to TBI research during this time. The effort has faced a number of challenges, including limited human subject basic and translational research, limited epidemiological data on combat-related injuries, limited capacity and standards for data acquisition, and a lack of standardized evidenced-based protocols for treatment. All these areas have undergone significant growth and development, leading to the comprehensive system of care present today. A further challenge in this patient population has been the clinical co-morbidity of TBI, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic pain syndrome. The Army and the DoD have created treatment programs that are interdisciplinary in clinical approach, targeting particular neuropsychological domains of dysfunction rather than diagnostic category or etiology of injury. This article presents the history of this effort, the challenges to accurate and adequate diagnosis and care that remain, and the future of brain injury clinical and research efforts in the military. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley \& Sons, Ltd.},
keywords = {*Brain Concussion/th [Therapy], *Military Personnel/px [Psychology], 2003-2011, Afghan Campaign 2001-, Brain Concussion/co [Complications], Brain Concussion/di [Diagnosis], Brain Concussion/ep [Epidemiology], Evidence-Based Medicine, Humans, Iraq War, United States/ep [Epidemiology]},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Omalu, B; Hammers, J L; Bailes, J; Hamilton, R L; Kamboh, M I; Webster, G; Fitzsimmons, R P
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in an Iraqi war veteran with posttraumatic stress disorder who committed suicide Journal Article
In: Neurosurgical Focus, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. E3, 2011.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: *Blast Injuries/pa [Pathology], *Blast Injuries/pp [Physiopathology], *Brain Injury, *Combat Disorders/pp [Physiopathology], *Suicide/px [Psychology], 2003-2011, adult, Blast Injuries/co [Complications], Brain Injury, Chronic/co [Complications], Chronic/pa [Pathology], Chronic/pp [Physiopathology], Combat Disorders/px [Psychology], Humans, Iraq War, Male, Post-Traumatic/pp [Physiopatholo, Post-Traumatic/px [Psychology], Stress Disorders, Suicide/pc [Prevention & Control]
@article{Omalu2011,
title = {Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in an Iraqi war veteran with posttraumatic stress disorder who committed suicide},
author = {Omalu, B and Hammers, J L and Bailes, J and Hamilton, R L and Kamboh, M I and Webster, G and Fitzsimmons, R P},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-01-01},
journal = {Neurosurgical Focus},
volume = {31},
number = {5},
pages = {E3},
abstract = {Following his discovery of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in football players in 2002, Dr. Bennet Omalu hypothesized that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military veterans may belong to the CTE spectrum of diseases. The CTE surveillance at the Brain Injury Research Institute was therefore expanded to include deceased military veterans diagnosed with PTSD. The authors report the case of a 27-year-old United States Marine Corps (USMC) Iraqi war veteran, an amphibious assault vehicle crewman, who committed suicide by hanging after two deployments to Fallujah and Ramadi. He experienced combat and was exposed to mortar blasts and improvised explosive device blasts less than 50 m away. Following his second deployment he developed a progressive history of cognitive impairment, impaired memory, behavioral and mood disorders, and alcohol abuse. Neuropsychiatric assessment revealed a diagnosis of PTSD with hyperarousal (irritability and insomnia) and numbing. He committed suicide approximately 8 months after his honorable discharge from the USMC. His brain at autopsy appeared grossly unremarkable except for congestive brain swelling. There was no atrophy or remote focal traumatic brain injury such as contusional necrosis or hemorrhage. Histochemical and immunohistochemical brain tissue analysis revealed CTE changes comprising multifocal, neocortical, and subcortical neurofibrillary tangles and neuritic threads (ranging from none, to sparse, to frequent) with the skip phenomenon, accentuated in the depths of sulci and in the frontal cortex. The subcortical white matter showed mild rarefaction, sparse perivascular and neuropil infiltration by histiocytes, and mild fibrillary astrogliosis. Apolipoprotein E genotype was 3/4. The authors report this case as a sentinel case of CTE in an Iraqi war veteran diagnosed with PTSD to possibly stimulate new lines of thought and research in the possible pathoetiology and pathogenesis of PTSD in military veterans as part of the CTE spectrum of diseases, and as chronic sequelae and outcomes of repetitive traumatic brain injuries.},
keywords = {*Blast Injuries/pa [Pathology], *Blast Injuries/pp [Physiopathology], *Brain Injury, *Combat Disorders/pp [Physiopathology], *Suicide/px [Psychology], 2003-2011, adult, Blast Injuries/co [Complications], Brain Injury, Chronic/co [Complications], Chronic/pa [Pathology], Chronic/pp [Physiopathology], Combat Disorders/px [Psychology], Humans, Iraq War, Male, Post-Traumatic/pp [Physiopatholo, Post-Traumatic/px [Psychology], Stress Disorders, Suicide/pc [Prevention \& Control]},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}