MossRehab’s Post

What is your thought regarding repeated #concussive #brain #injury? Should military members be concerned about the Department of Defense position that brain injury is primarily limited to road side expolsions and combat fire? Probably not. The military identified approximately 14 weapons that cause concussive forces. What is the proper way to handle the known risks, especially for military members? Of course, nobody will be able to prove that concussive brain injury caused the Maine shooting, but more likely than not prior behavior and peer reports should have provided guidance.

CONGRESS IS ON track to approve legislation that would mark a significant advance in U.S. policy toward psychedelics. Tucked into the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024 is a provision to fund clinical trials using psychedelic substances to treat active duty members of the military. Section 723 of the NDAA directs the secretary of defense to partner with a federal or state government agency, or an academic institution, to carry out the research. The bill would fund the treatment of members of the military with post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury with several psychedelic substances, including MDMA, psilocybin, ibogaine, DMT, and other plant-based alternative therapies (such as ayahuasca). Read more on the Intercept website! 👆 #awakenjourney #microdosingforwomen #mentalhealth #creativity #psychedelics #psychedelic #womeninmidlife #selfcare #selflove #womeninpsychedelics #spiritualinsight #healing #innovativethinking #problemsolving #counterculture #psychedelicresearch #femaleempowerment #womeninscience #intersectionality #mindexpansion #selfdiscovery

Exposure to substantial repeated blast shock waves or concussions can lead to brain tissue damage. Brain damage from Military service, contact Sports, domestic violence and other activities is not new, however there is new research that Brain damage in Military Service is likely caused by shock waves from weaponry and explosives. Symptoms of traumatic brain injury include persistent headaches or neck pain, fatigue, memory issues, trouble sleeping, concentration problems, chronic depression, anxiety and apathy, researchers say. It can also lead to aggression and violence, experts say. Doctors are more focussed on behavioural and psychiatric diagnoses. There is currently no way to definitively diagnose CTE chronic traumatic encephalopathy during life. But experts have developed clinical criteria for traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES). TES is a clinical disorder associated with CTE. CTE is suspected in people who are at high risk due to repeated head trauma over years during sports or military experiences. A diagnosis requires evidence of degeneration of brain tissue and deposits of tau and other proteins in the brain that can only be seen after death during an autopsy at present.

Important new study from a Defense Department laboratory: Pattern of brain damage is pervasive in Navy SEALs who died by suicide. The lab found an unusual pattern of brain damage seen only in people exposed repeatedly to blast waves.A grass-roots effort by grieving families delivered eight of their brains to the lab, and after careful analysis, researchers discovered blast damage in every single one. The findings coincide with a Harvard study, published this spring, which scanned the brains of 30 career Special Operators and found an association between blast exposure and altered brain structure and compromised brain function. The study reported: "We found that higher blast exposure was associated with alterations in brain structure, function, and neuroimmune markers, as well as lower quality of life," and "these alterations affected the executive control, salience, and default mode networks." Several SEAL veterans said in interviews that many of their former teammates are now divorced and grappling with depression, paranoia and substance abuse—all of which can be caused by deteriorating brain function. Desperate calls from suicidal friends are common, they said. The study has huge implications on how SEALs are trained - implications that, reportedly, have yet to make their way into legitimate changes to prevent brain trauma in SEALs on the ground.

Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis in a Military Cohort Using Platelet-Rich Plasma https://bit.ly/3VGWUmo

This study found substantial increases in the diagnosis of chronic pain among active-duty servicewomen and civilian dependents affiliated with the military during a period of heightened deployment intensity (2006-2013). https://ja.ma/4cLnrG4

“Resilience is a virtue but out here it’s a necessity!” Have you heard of the Military Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative (MTBI2)? MTBI2 is a Uniformed Services University joint federal research organization supported by The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine on a mission to minimize the destructive effects traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) have on U.S. service members. We study TBIs of all severities and all causes. We study TBIs not for the sake of science, but for the sake of those who serve our Nation. We envision a world where service members affected by TBIs receive personalized treatments that enable them to lead healthier, more fulfilled lives. Through research and collaboration, we develop precise scientific solutions that drive better outcomes for patients with TBIs. Our mission is ambitious, yet attainable, with help from our investigators, staff, partners and study volunteers, who’re also impassioned by a better and brighter future for service members with TBIs. Service Through Sience! #MTBI2 #milmed #milhealth #warfighter #resilience

Brian Edlow, M.D and retired Vice Adm. Tim Szymanski write about the urgent need for better diagnostic tools to diagnose brain injuries among Special Operations Forces, personnel who sustain repeated exposure to blast effects. "The most substantial gap in knowledge about Special Operations Forces brain health is the uncertain impact of repeated blast exposure," they write in Defense Opinion. "SOF personnel are frequently exposed to explosive blasts during training and combat – from small, medium and large arms, as well as improvised explosive devices. Yet the effects of repeated blast exposure on their brains are not fully understood. As a result, servicemembers may experience symptoms that go undiagnosed, and they may return to training and combat during a time of brain vulnerability." #USmilitary #USSpecialOperationsForces #BrainInjury #BidenAdministration #USVeterans https://lnkd.in/evYXgtRF

This compelling article confronts the critical issue of brain injuries within the military, highlighted by the courageous act of a 29-year-old Navy SEAL who donated his brain for research after suspecting damage from blast exposure. Key takeaways: 1️. A Navy SEAL's selfless gesture underscores the urgency of understanding and addressing brain injuries resulting from combat and training activities. 2️. Blast exposure can have profound and lasting effects on cognitive function and mental health, necessitating comprehensive support and treatment. 3️. Continued research and collaboration are essential to develop effective strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and rehabilitation. Let's honor the sacrifice of servicemen like this Navy SEAL by amplifying awareness and advocacy for improved resources and care for those affected by brain injuries.  Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our military personnel and their families. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/erqZ8rF6 #Healthcare #Military #BrainInjuries #MedicalResearch #Neuroscience #Veterans #MentalHealth #BrainInjury

"I want to talk about one function that, in my opinion, is absolutely necessary for your warmer to have and unfortunately completely overlooked. That is the ability to warm and handle intermittent flows.” View this blog post by Stephen Alexander, Critical Care Paramedic with the Arkansas Army National Guard MEDEVAC unit, on one of the most important factors to consider when selecting a blood warmer for #EMS. https://lnkd.in/g9VgaCZh