Abstract
Blast-related traumatic brain injury (bTBI) poses a significant concern for military personnel engaged in Operation Enduring
Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF). Given the highly stressful context in which such injury occurs, psychiatric
comorbidities are common. This paper provides an overview of mild bTBI and discusses the cognitive sequelae and course of
recovery typical of mild TBI (mTBI). Complicating factors that arise in the context of co-morbid posttraumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) are considered with regard to diagnosis and treatment. Relatively few studies have evaluated the efficacy of cognitive
rehabilitation in civilian mTBI, but we discuss cognitive training approaches that hold promise for addressing mild impairments
in executive function and memory, akin to those seen in OEF/OIF veterans with bTBI and PTSD. Further research is needed to
address the patient and environmental characteristics associated with optimal treatment outcome.
Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF). Given the highly stressful context in which such injury occurs, psychiatric
comorbidities are common. This paper provides an overview of mild bTBI and discusses the cognitive sequelae and course of
recovery typical of mild TBI (mTBI). Complicating factors that arise in the context of co-morbid posttraumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) are considered with regard to diagnosis and treatment. Relatively few studies have evaluated the efficacy of cognitive
rehabilitation in civilian mTBI, but we discuss cognitive training approaches that hold promise for addressing mild impairments
in executive function and memory, akin to those seen in OEF/OIF veterans with bTBI and PTSD. Further research is needed to
address the patient and environmental characteristics associated with optimal treatment outcome.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Review
- Pages 1-17
- DOI 10.1007/s11065-012-9192-3
- Authors
- Yelena Bogdanova, VA Boston Healthcare System, Memory Disorders Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Mieke Verfaellie, VA Boston Healthcare System, Memory Disorders Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Journal Neuropsychology Review
- Online ISSN 1573-6660
- Print ISSN 1040-7308