Long-Term Effects of Repetitive, Low-Level Blast Exposure on Special Operations Forces Service Members

Pilot Study of Long-Term Effects of Repetitive, Low-Level Blast Exposure (RLLBE) on Special Operations Forces (SOF) Service Members

This is a pilot study to identify biomarkers that individually, and in combination, demonstrate the greatest sensitivity to repetitive, low-level blast exposure (RLLBE) neurotrauma in Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel. The proposed cross-sectional, multimodal study will elucidate the potential effects of long-term RLLBE by comparing biomarkers across subjects.

The proposal includes a comprehensive battery of assessments characterized by high-field neuroimaging, proteomics, and experimental cognitive and neurobehavioral evaluations, which will be implemented alongside standardized clinical diagnostic tools. The results will inform the design of a larger trial to validate the diagnostic utility of these biomarkers as well as their ability to predict RLLBE-related clinical outcomes. A secondary aim will be to define the underlying mechanisms, risk and resilience factors, and clinical phenotypes associated with RLLBE.

Biomarkers assessed over the course of a two-day evaluation will include:

1. 3 Tesla Connectome MRI to detect structural disruption of brain networks
2. 7 Tesla MRI to detect functional disruption of brain networks
3. Translocator protein (TSPO) PET - ligand [11C]-PBR28 to detect neuroinflammation
4. Tau PET - ligand [18F]-MK6240 to detect tau deposition
5. Neurocognitive assessments to detect signs of cognitive/behavioral dysfunction
6. Self-report indicators of cognitive/behavioral dysfunction
7. Blood biomarkers to detect evidence of blast injury using proteomics and metabolomics

We hypothesize that a multimodal assessment using Connectome MRI, 7 Tesla MRI, TSPO PET, Tau PET, cognitive/behavioral tests, proteomics and metabolomics will identify biomarkers of RLLBE-related brain injury.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults aged 25-45 years of age
2. Males, regardless of race or ethnicity
3. Active duty Special Operation Forces
4. History of combat deployment confirmed by Veterans Affairs (VA) or Department of Defense (DOD) records (defined as: while serving in the U.S. military, individual was deployed to a region of conflict)
5. History of combat exposure during any deployment as measured by endorsement of any item on the Combat Exposure Scale (CES)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) (using the VA/DOD definition: initial Glasgow Coma Scale score < 13, coma duration > ½ hr, post-traumatic amnesia duration > 24 hr, or abnormal structural brain imaging)

2. History of major neurologic disorder such as stroke or spinal cord injury resulting in a significant decrement in functional status or loss of independent living capacity

3. Untreated or unstable severe psychiatric condition (e.g., schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) that is likely to impact study participation or ability to complete study procedures

4. Current severe medical condition (excluding currently diagnosed mild TBI or concussion) that requires long-term treatments (e.g., cancer, diabetes mellitus, human immunodeficiency virus, autoimmune disorders)

5. Any cardiac, respiratory, or other medical condition that may affect cerebral metabolism

6. Benzodiazepines other than lorazepam, desmethyldiazepam and oxazepam within past month

7. MRI contraindications

   1. Metal in the body that would make an MRI scan unsafe, such as pacemakers, medication pumps, aneurysm clips, metallic prostheses (including metal pins and rods, heart valves or cochlear implants), shrapnel fragments, permanent eye liner or small metal fragments in the eye
   2. Pre-existing medical conditions including a likelihood of developing seizures or claustrophobic reactions, and any greater than normal potential for cardiac arrest
   3. Inability to lie supine for up to 2 hours in the MRI scanner, as assessed by physical examination and medical history (e.g., back pain, arthritis)
   4. > 300 lbs (weight limit of the MRI table)

8. Prior radiation exposure of ≥ 50 mSv over the past 12 months, in the context of research, as determined by review of DOD medical records (e.g., prior imaging studies) and self-report

9. Any condition which, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, may cause undue risk to the subject

10. Other: Any condition or characteristic that in the judgment of the Principal Investigator would create a logistical or safety contraindication to enrollment (e.g., shoulder width greater than the bore of the MRI or PET/MRI machines)