A recently published study by Glikstein et al. 2024 that conducted serial brain scans on Canadian Special Operations Forces (CANSOF) breachers over five years found significant volume loss, white matter lesions, and enlargement of VR spaces. [1]
This study included 92 subjects with an average of 9.4 years of blast exposure.
The study includes many limitations, most notably no control group to support a causal relationship between the blast exposures and changes to the brain on MRI. It also did not investigate a relationship between brain MRI changes and performance.
While there are significant limitations, CANSOF researchers are leading the way in innovative studies in this area, providing foundational research to build upon.
This study is no exception.
Future studies will build upon this research, offering insights into causal relationships between blast exposures and specific changes to the brain that can be picked up by traditional brain imaging.
Correlations of these brain changes with performance in the areas of emotional control, cognition, and sensorimotor function will also be areas of significant interest.
References:
- Glikstein, R., Melkus, G., Portela de Oliveira, E., Brun‐Vergara, M. L., Schwarz, B. A., Ramsay, T., … & Skinner, C. (2024). Five‐Year Serial Brain MRI Analysis of Military Members Exposed to Chronic Sub‐Concussive Overpressures. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.