Thursday, November 12, 2020

Repeated small blasts put military, law enforcement at risk for brain injury


https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-11/uovh-rsb111220.php

 

News Release 12-Nov-2020
UVA-led study examined specialists who use explosives to enter buildings
University of Virginia Health System

 

Military and law-enforcement personnel repeatedly exposed to low-level blasts have significant brain changes - including an increased level of brain injury and inflammation - compared with a control group, a new study has found.

Led by University of Virginia School of Medicine researcher James Stone, MD, PhD, the study compared the brains of 20 "breachers" - specialists who use explosives to enter buildings and other structures - with a 14-person, age-matched control group. The breachers had been exposed to an average of 4,628 blasts, while the control group had been exposed to an average of three.

Blood measurements and neuropsychological assessments suggest that the breachers have increased levels of brain injury and inflammation, which the researchers wrote is "consistent with the theory that exposure to breaching-related blasts leads to system-wide effects in the brain."

The study also found that the breachers had statistically significant differences in blood flow, brain structure and brain activity.


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