UNTANGLE: Understanding how TBI-related changes in fluid biomarkers affect quality of life outcomes in Veterans

Military personnel are at high risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and in recent conflicts, UK military personnel sustained TBI caused by improvised explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades and gunshot wounds. Most people affected had mild TBI (mTBI), which has emerged as a signature injury in military personnel (one that defines the consequences of the conflict on the soldiers involved). The symptoms of mTBI include memory problems, confusion and disorientation, problems articulating words, headache, dizziness and problems seeing. 1 in 5 people go onto to develop mental health problems within 12 months after TBI with 75% experiencing mental health problems within 5 years. This suggests that the initial TBI results in permanent brain damage causing mental health issues. This research will benefit not only the Veteran population but also civilians suffering TBI, in helping to diagnose their symptoms early and to be able to put in place management options, including drug interventions that will improve the lives of Veterans.

This project aims to understand the changes that occur after TBI in military Veterans and correlate these with blood tests, saliva biomarkers, changes in vision, clinical assessments of mental health and patient reported outcomes for quality-of-life that encompass daily living and mood. This approach offers a comprehensive way of capturing data on multiple systems affected by TBI and allows us to monitor patient progression over time and pinpoint the changes that determine long-term outcomes in Veterans.

• Are there fluid biomarkers that can predict TBI-related outcomes?
• Are there impaging biomarkers that can predict TBI-related outcomes?

30 control patients, 30 acute TBI patients and 30 military Veterans with TBI diagnosis