Last month, medical researchers wrapped up a survey taken of several hundred military combat veterans who had been diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injuries. Nearly all of the injuries were suffered during direct combat and/or direct or close proximity exposure to a blast or explosion. According to the survey’s results, nearly 60 percent of the veterans reported suffering a neurological condition that invokes abnormal or exaggerated emotional responses – such as crying or laughing after hearing a serious or somber statement.
The responses are typically out of the ordinary and consistent with emotional impairments experienced by individuals with more severe types of brain injuries. Regina McGlinchey, director of the Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders at a VA hospital in Boston, noted, “We were little surprised by the findings for this population. We didn’t expect to see that high of prevalence.”
There is also a very high possibility that the condition is widespread among combat-wounded veterans, as many recently deployed soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen suffer from the affliction but refuse or are very reluctant to talk about it, McGlinchey explained.
The new research was part of a large collaborative effort between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and a private pharmaceutical company that currently manufactures a drug designed to treat the effects of traumatic brain injuries. These findings were also part of many new highlights to be presented at the tenth annual World Congress on Brain Injury in San Francisco.
Researchers and Drug Makers continue to learn more about Brain Injuries at All Severity Levels
For the recent study, medical researchers conducted an e-mail survey of 4,283 veterans living in the New England area last year who had received confirmed diagnoses of a mild traumatic brain injury after being previously screened by the VA. A total of 758 of those surveyed sent back answers, a 19 percent response rate that researchers say is relatively high for this type of study and its manner of delivery.
Out of the respondents, six out of 10 of those with mild brain injury cases reported suffering from pseudobulbar affect, more commonly referred to as PBA. PBA is a common neurological condition that typically afflicts those with brain ailments such as TBI, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, or dementia, according to Joao Siffert, head of research for the drug company, Avanir Pharmaceuticals Inc
Avanir manufactures and distributes the drug Nuedexta, which is designed to reduce the frequency of PBA and has been on the market since 2011, Siffert explained. Siffert also went on to note how those afflicted by PBA are known to display involuntary and uncontrolled episodes of crying or laughing – and the responses can vary considerably from sporadic to several times in one day. McGlinchey added that it is a neurological issue that can occur at socially inappropriate times and can be difficult on the patient and family members.
McGlinchey also noted that this study provides a better understanding of the effects of a traumatic brain injury.
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