Researchers hope to find correlations between injured circuits and neurological symptoms. If they can determine which area of the brain corresponds with a particular neuropsychological problem, such as speech or movement of a specific finger, they may, in some cases, be able to develop therapies. In this way, researchers hope to learn more about (PTSD). If doctors are able to detect the disorder in images and quantify it, they’ll be better equipped to treat it.

Study details:

• The study will run for four years.

• Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

• Participants must have suffered traumatic brain injury.

• Between 120 and 150 participants will be enrolled in the SLU study.

• Participants will include veterans and civilians with traumatic brain injury, as well as healthy civilians who have not suffered injury.

• Veterans will be enrolled from across the nation.

• Civilians will be enrolled from the St. Louis area.

• Active duty military personnel are not eligible to participate in the study.

• Patients will be given neuroimaging and neurocognitive evaluations, which will last about two days.

• Up to 30 patients may be asked to enroll in a follow-up study 12 months after their initial participation.

• Non-active duty military veterans who participate in the trial will be provided with travel, lodging, and meals.

• All participants will be compensated for their time and all study related procedures will be provided at no cost.

Summary and comments:

This is the type of research that can benefit many people and address multiple health issues. In addition to the advances that researchers are hoping to make in treating TBI and PTSD, it is quite possible that the information from this study can help researchers find better treatments for other disorders and diseases affecting the brain.

As a final note, Dr. Bucholz commented,

"There is a lot of interest on the part of those who have head injuries to know ‘What is wrong with me? Why am I not the person I was before the head injury?´ For these people, I think it’s incredibly frustrating to get a structural image that says nothing’s wrong, and yet to know that, indeed, something is wrong." 

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Sources:

Newswise Press Release. "Unlocking the Mysteries of the Brain: Investigators Search for Answers about Injuries, PTSD." St. Louis University. August 5, 2009.

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© Teri Robert, 2009.
Last updated August 9, 2009.