Combat Brain Injuries Linked to PTSD

Brain injuries so subtle they’re detected only by a very sensitive scan may predispose combat soldiers to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), researchers say. The study involved 52 war veterans from western New York who served in combat areas from 2001 to 2008. Approximately four years after their final tour of duty, researchers asked each veteran about PTSD symptoms, blast exposures, mild concussions and combat experiences. The study, published online by the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, found 30 of the veterans suffered at least one mild traumatic brain injury, and seven reported having more than one. Sixty percent were exposed to one or more explosive blasts. All 52 veterans had one or more PTSD symptoms, and 15 met the formal criteria for PTSD. (UPI, 6/8/12)