[News] Brain Injured Solders Still at Risk for Epilepsy Years Later…

[PhylisFeinerJohnson]

The high numbers of soldiers who have suffered traumatic brain injuries associated with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan face an array of health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues.

Now new research published in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, highlights another finding: these soldiers are at a significantly high risk of developing epilepsy even decades after the brain injury occurred.

It’s unclear how head injuries cause epilepsy, however, especially so many years later. In some individuals, the seizures can be very subtle and difficult to identify. People may have memory problems, unexplained changes in behavior, emotional outbursts, or times when they stare into space.

Because each of these symptoms can also be caused by other problems associated with post-traumatic brain injury, the presence of epilepsy is not always identified.

For the study, researchers asked 199 veterans who experienced a brain injury 35years prior whether they ever had a seizure. They were also given intelligence tests. The group underwent scans to detect brain lesions.

Of the 199 people, about 44 percent developed post-traumatic epilepsy.

“For a surprising 13 percent, the post-traumatic epilepsy didn’t show up until more than 14 years after the brain injury,” said study author Jordan Grafman, PhD, of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in Bethesda, Md.

Cognitive decline later in life was also seen among some of the veterans with seizure disorders. This was assessed by comparing past scores on the Armed Forces Qualification Test (which is given to potential soldiers to measure mental ability) to more recent ones.

“You can have an injury and get better, but with time, people don’t always do as well as they should,” said Dr. Gerald Grant, associate professor of neurosurgery at Duke University in Durham, N.C., and a former Air Force neurosurgeon.

The study also found that some vets who had developed post-traumatic epilepsy experienced worsening of seizures over the years.

In the most recent year that the study participants reported their seizures, a quarter had simple partial seizures during which people stay alert and can recall what happened that had progressed into generalized seizures, which can trigger a loss of consciousness.

The seizures occurred despite the fact that more than 88% of those with post-traumatic epilepsy were on anti-epilepsy drugs.

“Given the better chances of survival in soldiers fighting in conflicts today, our research suggests that all veterans with a traumatic brain injury should be routinely screened for post-traumatic epilepsy, even decades after the injury,” said Dr. Grafman.

“This research strongly suggests that veterans with brain injury will require long-term neurology care.”

The one bright light on the horizon is that major new research is beginning into ways to predict exactly who is most at risk and how to protect their vulnerable brains. Among the efforts are pilot studies to see if the newer seizure-treating drugs Topamax or Keppra might actually prevent epilepsy if they’re taken immediately after a serious brain injury.

Resources:

American Academy of Neurology

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/195223.php

http://health.usnews.com/health-news...epsy-risk.html

http://www.emaxhealth.com/1275/soldi...-risk-epilepsy

http://newsfeedresearcher.com/data/a...in-injury.html

[Bernard]

If you are a veteran concerned about the possibility that you might be in this category, there is a free program out there that might help:

http://www.homecoming4veterans.org/

[Endless]

And there's a lesson in it for the rest of us who are not soldiers... seizures can pop up years after a brain injury.

[Inaara]

The study also found that some vets who had developed post-traumatic epilepsy experienced worsening of seizures over the years.

In the most recent year that the study participants reported their seizures, a quarter had simple partial seizures during which people stay alert and can recall what happened that had progressed into generalized seizures, which can trigger a loss of consciousness.

The seizures occurred despite the fact that more than 88% of those with post-traumatic epilepsy were on anti-epilepsy drugs.

...yeah...so this is not making my morning...

[Bernard]

Experts at Military Conference Declare Breakthrough PTSD Treatment “Ready for Duty”

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Military leaders and mental health professionals gathering at the Naval Center for Combat & Operational Stress Control Conference (NCCOSC) in San Diego heard overwhelming evidence of the effectiveness of neurofeedback treatment in treating soldiers dealing with the traumatic effects of PTSD and brain injury.

In a series of presentations to service members, health professionals and military family members, neurofeedback pioneer and Homecoming for Veterans (www.homecoming4veterans.org) Board Chair Dr. Siegfried Othmer shared findings which showed the dramatic benefits of neurofeedback for both active duty members and veterans of our Armed Forces.

“Neurofeedback treatment should be an essential part of our military’s mental health regiment before, during, and after deployment,” said Dr. Othmer. “Our studies show that neurofeedback in early stages of deployment can actually forestall descent into PTSD, as well as providing dramatic results for both active duty soldiers and veterans suffering from this debilitating condition.”

Dr. Othmer’s comments came on the heels of findings presented at the conference by clinical psychologists at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base and Naval Hospital. The psychologists shared the results of neurofeedback training on 350 active duty service members involving over 21,000 data points which showed “almost immediate results” in recovering from combat-related symptoms.

“While groundbreaking in many ways, these findings confirm what we already know,” said Dr. Othmer. “Neurofeedback training is a powerful and effective tool to combat symptoms associated with PTSD. We see results every day for our patients who are struggling with the debilitating symptoms of PTSD, including sleep problems, pain, irritability, anger and rage, and drug, alcohol, and tobacco dependency.”

Neurofeedback (EEG Feedback) is training in optimal brain function based on information derived from the EEG (electroencephalogram). The repetition of this exercise for a number of thirty-minute sessions leads typically to improved cognitive function and emotional control.

Dr. Othmer and his colleagues at the EEG Institute have launched the non profit Homecoming for Veterans (HC4V) to provide Neurofeedback training for veterans for the rehabilitation of PTSD and issues of brain performance resulting from traumatic brain injury, blast injury, concussion, whiplash, and chemical exposure.

HC4V now has a nationwide network of trained clinicians available to offer this cutting-edge treatment, at no cost, for veterans suffering from PTSD. Additionally, they have launched pilot programs in neurofeedback at six military bases.

“Our goal has been to make our military leaders, policymakers, and military families dealing with the effects of PTSD aware of the tremendously positive benefits that neurofeedback can offer,” concluded Homecoming for Veterans Executive Director Pam Tarr. “The findings shared this week make clear the need for immediate research into this powerful treatment option as well as the expansion of pilot programs beyond Camp Pendleton and into VA medical centers and in all of our military branches.”

http://www.businesswire.com/news/hom...PTSD-Treatment