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WRAIR-West has launched two behavioral health studies focused on repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) and occupation-related repetitive exposure to tier-1 weapons, marking a significant step toward strengthening resilience and performance in operational settings.
These efforts are part of the Military Brain Risk Assessment for Individual Neurological Health (BRAIN Health) research program directed by Dr. Anthony Kontos, Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Research in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and his team at the University of Pittsburgh. This research program, which involves four related research projects across three military and one civilian site, is funded through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program’s Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychology Health Focused Program Award.
Dr. Megan Douglas, Clinical Research Psychologist at WRAIR-West, is the site principal investigator for the two Military BRAIN Health projects which began recruitment at Joint-Base Lewis McChord in June 2025.
“We are excited to partner with several military and civilian sites on this important study which will add to our knowledge about the impact of weapons exposure on service members” said Dr. Douglas. “This program will contribute to knowledge about low-level exposure to tier 1 weapons and ultimately inform injury-prevention policies to protect brain health.”
Service members who suffer mild traumatic brain injuries are at significantly higher risk for developing mental and physical health problems; however, identifying these problems and the service members at risk can be challenging.
The purpose of this study is to understand how chronic repeated head injuries affect brain health and to identify medical and psychological markers to inform earlier diagnosis and treatment.
“The impact of TBI in the military has been well-examined,” notes Dr. Douglas. “However, this overall program will contribute to knowledge about low-level exposure to tier 1 weapons and repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries, which are more common.”
Recruitment for these studies is expected to run through 2027 and contribute to the overall research program by offering new insights into how to identify, support, and treat service members dealing with the long-term effects of repeated mild traumatic brain injuries and exposure to tier-1 weapons.
Dr. Douglas said, “an overarching goal of these projects is to identify clinical and biological risk factors for service members who experience occupation-related mild brain injuries to inform injury-prevention policies and to protect brain health.”
Learn more about this study and other research conducted at WRAIR-West on the website: https://wrairwest.health.mil/
| Date Taken: | 06.13.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.13.2025 15:19 |
| Story ID: | 500551 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 76 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, WRAIR-West begins recruitment for study of repetitive mild traumatic brain injury, by Zeke Gonzalez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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