Neuroendocrine function and associated mental health outcomes following mild traumatic brain injury in OEF-deployed service members.
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) has been linked to mental health disorders (MHDs) and pituitary function alterations. Due to the complex relationship of mTBI, the neuroendocrine system, and MHDs, we propose that neuroendocrine dysfunction (NED) may play a role in negative long-term health outcomes. The goal of this study was to determine if blast-concussed service members (SMs) have a stronger likelihood of developing NED. We hypothesized that NED either pre- or post-injury is associated with poor mental and physical health outcomes. Serum samples from the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch were obtained from concussed (n = 59) and non-concussed (n = 72) SMs treated at the Concussion Restoration Care Center (CRCC) in Afghanistan. Serum was collected within 2 years prior to deployment and one or two times within 3 years following their CRCC visit. Samples were analyzed for luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, human growth hormone, cortisol, and prolactin to assess post-injury neuroendocrine function. Results indicate that SMs who incurred an mTBI exhibited long-term LH and testosterone deficiencies 3 years following injury compared to controls. Specifically, 47.6% of head-injured SMs displayed hypofunction in at least...Continue Reading
References
Residual pituitary function after brain injury-induced hypopituitarism: a prospective 12-month study
Citations
The association between blast exposure and transdiagnostic health symptoms on systemic inflammation.
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brain injury after impact to the head is due to both immediate mechanical effects and delayed responses of neural tissues.