Military traumatic brain injury: a challenge straddling neurology and psychiatry

Abstract

Military psychiatry, a new subcategory of psychiatry, has become an invaluable, intangible effect of the war. In this review, we begin by examining related military research, summarizing the related epidemiological data, neuropathology, and the research achievements of diagnosis and treatment technology, and discussing its comorbidity and sequelae. To date, advances in neuroimaging and molecular biology have greatly boosted the studies on military traumatic brain injury (TBI). In particular, in terms of pathophysiological mechanisms, several preclinical studies have identified abnormal protein accumulation, blood–brain barrier damage, and brain metabolism abnormalities involved in the development of TBI. As an important concept in the field of psychiatry, TBI is based on organic injury, which is largely different from many other mental disorders. Therefore, military TBI is both neuropathic and psychopathic, and is an emerging challenge at the intersection of neurology and psychiatry.

Pushing the frontiers of military medical excellence: updates, progress and future needs

“…With reference to Fig. 1, psychiatry is one of the few specialties where military articles outnumbered non-military ones in Military Medical Research, depicting the increasing emphasis and importance of military psychiatry that has become an invaluable and intangible effect of war [17]. The phenomenon of combat stress reaction (CSR) refers to labile polymorphic manifestations affecting cognition, affect, and behaviour during battle [18].…”

Edaravone in the treatment of concussion and post-concussion syndrome

“…У військовій сфері головними причинами ЧМТ все ще визнаються сильний удар головою, вплив вибухових пристроїв і проникні балістичні поранення [11]. Поширеними видами бойової ЧМТ є проникне балістичне поранення, спричинене миттєвим викидом енергії з фізичним руйнуванням пучка нейронних волокон, і вибухове поранення, зумовлене флуктуацією внутрішньочерепних судин, утворенням градієнту тиску та динамічною деформацією черепа [12].…”

What is next in African neuroscience?

“…Collaborative and interdisciplinary work is needed to understand the potential impact of climate change on early brain development in Africa. Moreover, war and conflicts are known to influence child and adult neurological and mental health ( Kong et al, 2022 ; Murthy and Lakshminarayana, 2006 ). Many parts of Africa are also affected by militarised conflicts, but the impact of these conflicts on neurological and mental health in different ancestral populations and geographical locations is not well understood.…”