Neuropsychological evaluation of blast-related concussion: Illustrating the challenges and complexities through OEF/OIF case studies

Nathaniel W. Nelson, James B. Hoelzle, Kathryn A. McGuire, Amanda G. Ferrier-Auerbach, Molly J. Charlesworth, Scott R. Sponheim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background/objective: Soldiers of Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF) sustain blast-related mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) with alarming regularity. This study discusses factors in addition to concussion, such as co-morbid psychological difficulty (e.g. post-traumatic stress) and symptom validity concerns that may complicate neuropsychological evaluation in the late stage of concussive injury. Case report: The study presents the complexities that accompany neuropsychological evaluation of blast concussion through discussion of three case reports of OEF/OIF personnel. Discussion: The authors emphasize uniform assessment of blast concussion, the importance of determining concussion severity according to acute-injury characteristics and elaborate upon non-concussion-related factors that may impact course of cognitive limitation. The authors conclude with a discussion of the need for future research examining the impact of blast concussion (particularly recurrent concussion) and neuropsychological performance.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)511-525
Number of pages15
JournalBrain Injury
Volume25
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2011

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Declaration of Interest: This study was supported

Keywords

  • Traumatic brain injury
  • blast injury
  • neuropsychological injury

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