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No Evidence of Increased Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Pathology or Neurodegenerative Proteinopathy in Former Military Service Members: A Preliminary Study
- Source :
- Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD. 67(4)
- Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- It is presently unknown whether military service members are at risk for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) or Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, due to traumatic brain injury (TBI). Studies with respect to AD have had mixed results with respect to mild TBI, although an increased risk of clinical AD with moderate and severe TBI is more consistently demonstrated. No studies to date have demonstrated a longitudinal progression from TBI to autopsy. We therefore initiated a cross-sectional survey of former military service members. 18 brain specimens have been examined to date, with a mean age of 68.9±16 years (range 32-94). Twelve had a history of psychiatric problems; 10 had a history of PTSD specifically. Five had neurological problems including stroke and seizures. One subject had early-onset AD. Two subjects had a history of TBI and two had a history of blast exposure. Age-related proteinopathy, ranging from AD neuropathologic change A0B1C0 to A3B3C3 by NIA-AA guidelines, was identified. None of the cases showed changes specific for CTE pathology. There was no relationship between p-tau in the amygdala and psychiatric signs. There was no significant difference in phosphorylated tau (p-tau) or amyloid-β burden compared to age-matched controls. These preliminary data suggest that military service per se is not a risk factor for CTE pathology or neurodegenerative proteinopathy. More research is needed to study the relationship, if any, between TBI and neurodegenerative proteinopathy.
- Subjects :
- 0301 basic medicine
Male
Pathology
medicine.medical_specialty
Traumatic brain injury
Military service
Veterans Health
Autopsy
tau Proteins
Disease
Risk Assessment
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Alzheimer Disease
medicine
Humans
Risk factor
Correlation of Data
Stroke
Brain Concussion
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
business.industry
General Neuroscience
Mental Disorders
Brain
General Medicine
Middle Aged
medicine.disease
Immunohistochemistry
United States
Psychiatry and Mental health
Clinical Psychology
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
030104 developmental biology
Military Personnel
Tauopathy
Geriatrics and Gerontology
business
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 18758908
- Volume :
- 67
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....cd727acac39388ea2675b38e216b7a34