Repeated Blast Exposures May Harm the Brain Health of Military Personnel
The brains of special warfare community personnel repeatedly exposed to blasts show increased inflammation and structural changes compared with a control group , potentially increasing the risk of longterm , brain-related disease , according to a new study .
Researchers from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and Naval Medical Research Command ( NMRC ) led the study , which compared the brains of nine special operations personnel exposed to blasts with a control group of nine military service members with only minimal exposures to blasts . Participants ’ brains were analyzed using sophisticated imaging techniques , combined with surveys that measured exposure to weapons and explosives as well as symptoms related to brain injury , including mood and sleep issues .
The study found that increased blast exposure was associated with increased brain inflammation , and reduced volume and thickness of brain structures . This could affect several key brain functions , including memory , motor skills and regulating emotions .
Previous studies have shown that people with many neurodegenerative conditions – including Alzheimer ’ s disease , Parkinson ’ s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS ) – all have chronic brain inflammation that may be detectable before the conditions fully develop .
“ This is the first study to directly demonstrate increased inflammation in the brains of service members who are exposed to small blasts over a career ,” said James Stone , MD , PhD , a UVA Health radiologist who led the study . “ Brain inflammation is such a key process in other brain-related illnesses . These findings raise concerns about the long-term brain health of those exposed to repeated low-level blasts .”
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Better Protecting Military Personnel The next step for researchers is a larger study with more participants to determine precisely what levels of blast exposure cause brain injuries . This next study could guide military leaders in how they deploy soldiers as well as improve the design of equipment to protect against brain injuries caused by repeated blasts .
“ Work is currently underway to better understand these findings and to be able to answer the question of ‘ how much is too much ?’ when it comes to blast overpressure exposure ,” Stone said .
The study is one of several projects involving UVA Health researchers seeking to prevent brain injuries in military personnel led by Stephen Ahlers , PhD , from NMRC . UVA is part of a research team backed by an $ 8 million U . S . Department of Defense grant exploring the role of brain inflammation in military personnel exposed to blast shock waves .
“ This research effort will enable us to understand how repetitive exposure to blast over a career is a risk factor for brain health issues , including the possibility of worsening symptoms from a traumatic brain injury unrelated to blast exposure ,” according to Ahlers .
UVA researchers are also part of a group developing a model to predict how regular exposure to artillery blasts affects the brains of military personnel . g