The use of improvised explosive devices has become the hallmark of modern warfare and has resulted in an ever-increasing number of blast-related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Despite this fact, very little is actually known about the cognitive sequelae of blast-related TBIs. The purpose of the current study was to compare patterns of performance on neuropsychological measures in subjects who have sustained TBIs as a result of blast (or explosion) with those who have sustained TBIs from non-blast or blunt force trauma (motor vehicle accident, fall, assault, etc.). Participants were categorized as blast-related TBI or non-blast-related TBI and according to severity of injury (mild or moderate-to-severe). No main effects were observed in analysis of covariance between blast-related TBI participants and non-blast-related TBI participants across any of the neuropsychological variables, although an interaction was observed on a visual memory test showing stronger performance for mild blast-related and poorer performance for moderate-to-severe blast-related participants compared with both non-blast groups. Overall, the results do not provide any strong evidence that blast is categorically different from other TBI mechanisms, at least with regard to cognitive sequelae on select measures. Additional findings included a marginally increased incidence of reported posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among blast-injured participants. (JINS, 2009, 15, 1-8.).

Objective-This study examined the association of lifetime traumatic stress with psychiatric diagnostic status and symptom severity in veterans serving in the US military after 9/11/01. Method-Data from 356 US military veterans were analyzed. Measures included a standardized clinical interview measure of psychiatric disorders, and paper-and-pencil assessments of trauma history, demo-graphic variables, intellectual functioning, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, depression, alcohol misuse, and global distress.Results-Ninety-four percent of respondents reported at least one traumatic stressor meeting DSM-IV criterion A for PTSD (i.e., life threatening event to which the person responded with fear, helplessness or horror), with a mean of four criterion A traumas. Seventy-one percent reported serving in a war-zone, with 50% reporting occurrence of an event meeting criterion A. The rate of current psychiatric disorder in this sample was: 30% PTSD, 20% major depressive disorder, 6% substance abuse or dependence and 10% for the presence of other Axis I psychiatric disorders. After accounting for demographic covariates and combat exposure, childhood physical assault and accident/disasters *Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 919 286 0411x7973. E-mail address: beckham@duke.edu (J.C. Beckham). Conflict of interestMy coauthors, Drs. Calhoun, Yoash-Gantz, Taber, Miller, Tupler, Morey, Marx, Weiner and Beckham, as well as Ms. Kimberly Green and I do not have any interests that might be interpreted as influencing the research. APA ethical standards were followed in the conduct of this research. ContributorsDr. Dedert wrote the first version of the manuscript and conducted many of the data analyses. Ms. Green conceptualized and created the poster on which this manuscript was based and participated in data management and writing of the manuscript. Dr. Calhoun participated in the study design, conceptualization and writing of the manuscript as well as assisting in data analyses. He also participated in the study design and data collection. Dr. Yoash-Gantz participated in data collection and edits of the manuscript. Dr. Taber participated in data collection and edits of the manuscript. Dr. Miller participated in data collection and edits of the manuscript. Dr.Tupler participated in the study design, data collection, and edits of the manuscript. Dr. Morey participated in the study design and data collection. Dr. Marx participated in the study design and data collection. Dr. Weiner participated in study design and data collection. Dr. Beckham contributed to each aspect of this project from study design to writing of the manuscript. were most consistently associated with increased likelihood of PTSD. However, PTSD with no comorbid major depressive disorder or substance use disorder was predicted only by combat exposure and adult physical assault. Medical/unexpected-death trauma and adult physical assault were most consistently associated with more severe symptomatology. NIH Public AccessConclusions-Particular categorie...