Traumatic brain injuries caused by blasts from improvised explosive devices is one of the most vexing and poorly-understood medical problems faced by soldiers returning from modern combat. Symptoms can range from coma and catastrophic brain damage to subtle but intractable changes in personality. Even mild TBI, the most common wound sustained by soldiers in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, can leave injured veterans, their families, and their doctors struggling to cope. Current treatment options are limited, and the effects, including increased risk for neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, can last a lifetime.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=107733