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Study Overview
Section 721 of the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act required a 15-year longitudinal study on the effects of traumatic brain injury incurred by members of the armed forces serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. The following questions describe what the research program intends to answer.
- What are the long-term physical and mental health effects of TBIs?
- What are the health care, mental health care, and rehabilitation needs?
- What is the availability of long-term care and rehabilitation programs within and outside the DOD and VA?
- What is the effect on family members and caregivers?
The Section 721 research program is made up of the 15-Year Longitudinal TBI Studies which include the:
- Natural History of TBI study
- Caregiver and Family Member study
- Archival studies
The research program also includes the Improved Understanding of Medical and Psychological Needs in Veterans and Service Members with Chronic TBI study—or IMAP study.
This research began in 2010 and a final report will be issued in 2025. Progress reports at the three-, seven-, and 11-year marks are available to view or download.
Learn more about some of the work being done in these new infographics, click each image to view or download.
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TBICoE's 15-year studies took a closer look at blood-based biomarkers of traumatic brain injury. This infographic describes what those biomarkers are, where they come from, and what they do.
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The catalog summarizes key findings and potential clinical implications of calendar year 2023 TBICoE publications to increase awareness of and assist in planning of future TBICoE work.
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TBICoE's 15-year caregiver and family member study seeks to understand the health and service needs of caregivers of service members and veterans with TBI. This infographic provides an overview of study demographics.
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Jul 10, 2024
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TBICoE's natural history study seeks to advance our understanding of the body’s response to traumatic brain injury in military populations. This infographic describes the method that service members and veterans could participate in the study and provides an overview of demographic details.
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Jul 10, 2024
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This infographic describes the congressional mandate, the program structure, timeline, and TBICoE's role related to Section 721 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2007: Longitudinal Study on Traumatic Brain Injury Incurred by Members of the Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
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Last Updated: October 18, 2024