This is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study to evaluate the associations between indices of brain structure and function (measured at baseline, as soon as possible after injury) and course of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Subjects will be service members who have sustained mild traumatic brain injury (classified as either "impact-induced mTBI" or "blast-induced mTBI"; n = 100 completers) or an extracranial injury (ECI) with no evidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) (n = 100 completers). Subjects will complete an assessment battery at baseline and 6 months later that includes (1) structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) derived from a 3-Tesla magnet; (2) event-related brain potentials (ERPs) derived from brain electrical activity; (3) neurocognitive tests; and (4) neurological soft signs (NSS). Specific indices of brain structure and function derived from these assessments are hypothesized to demonstrate a significant relationship with course of PTSD symptoms, which will be measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
175
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Fort Belvoir Community Hospital
Fort Belvoir, Virginia, United States
Correlation between brain structure and function and PTSD symptoms, as measured by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS)
To evaluate the associations between (1) baseline indices of brain structure and function and (2) course of PTSD symptoms in service members with TBI and ECI over the 6-month follow-up period.
Time frame: Change between Baseline and 3-months and 6-months
Correlation between brain structure and function and cognitive, functional, headache, behavioral and quality of life measures
To evaluate the associations between (1) the selected baseline indices of brain structure and function, and (2) course of post-concussive symptoms, self-reported health status, including headache, overall emotional distress, and quality of life over the 6-month follow-up period.
Time frame: Change between Baseline and 3-months and 6-months
Evaluate effect of injury type and brain structure and function
To evaluate the effect of type of injury (impact TBI vs. blast TBI vs. ECI) on selected indices of brain structure and function at baseline and at the 6-month follow-up period.
Time frame: Change between Baseline and 3-months and 6-months
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