From the Battlefield to Home Base: Traumatic Brain Injury Advances in Active-Duty Military to Veteran Healthcare-View Presentation

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Video Summary

The APA Annual Meeting in San Francisco focuses on the theme of Innovate, Collaborate, and Motivate: Roadmap for the Future, particularly in the field of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The discussion revolves around the advances made from battlefield medicine to veteran healthcare, emphasizing long-term support for military personnel. The session addresses the spectrum of TBI symptoms from depression, anxiety, and PTSD to cognitive impairments and chronic pain. Commander Lacroix and Dr. Calo Tanev highlight historical and contemporary initiatives, including the Intrepid Spirit Centers, to provide comprehensive care for active duty members and veterans. Emphasis is placed on multidisciplinary approaches involving behavioral health, social work, and embedded psychiatrists to support recovery and rehabilitation.<br /><br />Current research particularly targets biomarker development for TBI diagnosis and the importance of sleep and cognitive rehabilitation. The challenges in treating TBI include the overlap of symptoms with PTSD, the difficulty in diagnosis, and the management of associated conditions like sleep disturbances and cognitive decline. Both ammonium and methylphenidate are discussed as promising pharmacological options for cognitive and behavioral enhancement, despite potential side effects.<br /><br />Organizations like the Home Base Program offer intensive clinical programs and comprehensive brain assessments, integrating therapies like cognitive processing, cognitive rehabilitation, and adjunctive therapies including art and physical therapy. These programs aim to improve psychological and physical health outcomes for veterans. The session underscores the importance of collaboration between military, VA systems, and civilian healthcare providers to enhance the continuum of care for those who have sustained brain injuries in military contexts.

Keywords

APA Annual Meeting

traumatic brain injury

TBI

veteran healthcare

military personnel

PTSD

cognitive impairments

Intrepid Spirit Centers

multidisciplinary approaches

biomarker development

cognitive rehabilitation

Home Base Program

pharmacological options

continuum of care