Biomed Radio - Washington University School Of Medicine In St. Louis

Evaluating military personnel with traumatic brain injuries, Washington University School of Medicine researchers have found that early symptoms of post-traumatic stress, such as anxiety, sadness and irritability are the strongest predictors of later disability. The results were surprising because mental health more closely correlated with disability than assessments typically made after concussions, such as tests of memory, balance, coordination, and severity of headaches. WHEN DOCTORS EVALUATE CONCUSSIONS, THEY LOOK AT A PERSON’S BALANCE, WHETHER THAT INDIVIDUAL IS HAVING HEADACHES AND OTHER PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF BRAIN INJURY. BUT A NEW STUDY FROM RESEARCHERS AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS, THE NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON IN SEATTLE, HAS FOUND THAT WHEN EVALUATING DISABILITY RISK IN MILITARY PERSONNEL WHO’VE SUFFERED CONCUSSSIONS ON THE BATTLEFIELD, IT’S IMPORTANT TO SCREEN FOR PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS, TOO. JIM DRYDEN REPORTS… EVALUATING PEOPLE WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES S