Neuropsychological evaluation of blast-related concussion: Illustrating the challenges and complexities through OEF/OIF case studies

Authors

Nathaniel W. Nelson, University of St. Thomas, MinnesotaFollow
James B. Hoelzle, Marquette UniversityFollow
Kathryn A. McGuire, University of Minnesota - MinneapolisFollow
Amanda G. Ferrier-Auerbach, University of Minnesota - Twin CitiesFollow
Molly J. Charlesworth, Minneapolis VA Medical CenterFollow
Scott R. Sponheim, University of MinnesotaFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

15 p.

Publication Date

2011

Publisher

Informa Healthcare

Source Publication

Brain Injury

Source ISSN

0269-9052

Original Item ID

doi: 10.3109/02699052.2011.558040

Abstract

Background/objective: Soldiers of Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF) sustain blast-related mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) with alarming regularity. This study discusses factors in addition to concussion, such as co-morbid psychological difficulty (e.g. post-traumatic stress) and symptom validity concerns that may complicate neuropsychological evaluation in the late stage of concussive injury.

Case report: The study presents the complexities that accompany neuropsychological evaluation of blast concussion through discussion of three case reports of OEF/OIF personnel.

Discussion: The authors emphasize uniform assessment of blast concussion, the importance of determining concussion severity according to acute-injury characteristics and elaborate upon non-concussion-related factors that may impact course of cognitive limitation. The authors conclude with a discussion of the need for future research examining the impact of blast concussion (particularly recurrent concussion) and neuropsychological performance.

Comments

Accepted Version. Brain Injury, Volume 25, No. 5 (2011), pp 511-525. DOI. © 2011 Informa Healthcare. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Nelson, Nathaniel W.; Hoelzle, James B.; McGuire, Kathryn A.; Ferrier-Auerbach, Amanda G.; Charlesworth, Molly J.; and Sponheim, Scott R., "Neuropsychological evaluation of blast-related concussion: Illustrating the challenges and complexities through OEF/OIF case studies" (2011). Psychology Faculty Research and Publications. 25.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac/25