Coping with Blast-Related Traumatic Brain Injury in Returning Troops

It has been shown that those who have served in both combat missions and peacekeeping operations are at increased risk for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Research suggests that this may result from their “wounds of war”. Some wounds may be “invisible”, such as depression, stress, and chronic pain, while others, such as physical disabilities, are more obvious. In February 2011, 35 scientists and representatives from NATO and Partner countries met in Vienna, Austria for a three-day NATO Advanced Research Workshop entitled “Wounds of War: Coping with Blast-Related Traumatic Brain Injury in Returning Troops”. The aim of this publication, which presents papers from that workshop, is to critically assess the existing knowledge and to identify directions for future actions. The book addresses four key questions: 1. Characterization of TBI: Which characteristics make up and help to classify TBI? 2. Diagnosis and Assessment Issues Surrounding TBI: Which methods are used to diagnose and assess TBI? 3. Treatment of TBI: What are the latest treatment and therapy opportunities for soldiers after they have been diagnosed with TBI? 4. Quality of Life: How are the lives of TBI patients affected and in what ways can their quality of life be increased?