Evaluation of the Effects of High Level Overpressure (8+psi) on Cognitive Performance, Brain Blood Biomarkers and Symptom Reporting
Abstract
This is a multi-site observational study of military and law enforcement personnel who are exposed to overpressure (OP) where data is collected in conjunction with occupational training exercises. The studys primary purpose is to characterize a variety of weapon systems/environments (OP, impulse, acoustics) and measure effects (neurocognitive, biomarkers, symptom reporting, etc.) immediately after OP exposure (< 5 min)and/or at end of training day (i.e., acute effects). 6 data collections took place (n1 = 11, n2 = 26, n3= 16, n4 = 26, n5 = 36, n6 = 23) at 3 different sites. Individual overpressure exposures recorded during training frequently exceeded the 4 psi incident safe threshold prescribed by US Army doctrine. Greater overpressure exposures were associated with neurocognitive deficits measured immediately after blast exposure and at the end of the training day. Greater acoustic exposure levels measured in a low overpressure blast environment were also associated with neurocognitive deficits. Changes were identified in blood-based biomarkers (targeted proteins, DNA methylation)after repeated blast overpressure exposure. Surrogate head and brain models were used by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) to collect data during wall breaching events at one training site. Three datasets, two blast events each, were collected by exposing neuronal cell cultures to wall breaching events during training exercises. Surrogate head and cell culture data have been analyzed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1097583
Entities
People
- Amit Bagchi
- Gary H. Kamimori
Organizations
- Geneva Foundation