Are you a TBI? These folks want to talk to you!

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 09:32:26 -0400

If you have post-traumatic stress or a blast-related traumatic brain injury, two research institutes want your brains.

Not now, of course — when you're done using them.

The Veterans Affairs Department's National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder has launched the first brain tissue repository to study PTSD, following the Defense Department's launch in late 2013 of its own brain bank for research.

The two facilities hope to enhance the scientific catalog of neuroscience, say officials with the departments.

Dr. Matthew Friedman, senior adviser to the VA center, said researchers can learn much by studying brain images, but there's "no substitute for looking at the neurons themselves" when it comes to decoding the complex, mysterious body organ.

Understanding changes at the cellular and synaptic levels is critical to finding potential biological signs for developing PTSD and other mental health conditions, diagnosing disorders and treating them, Friedman said.

The Leahy-Friedman National Brain Repository for PTSD — named for Friedman, who previously served as the national center's executive director, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., who led the push to fund the the brain bank — is looking for veterans with and without PTSD to track now and study their brains and other tissues after they die.

Friedman said the brain bank would be "very grateful" to veterans who decide to participate.

Several medical centers and research institutions are involved in the repository initiative, including VA hospitals in Boston, San Antonio, West Haven, Connecticut, and White River Junction, Vermont.

The Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, also plays a role, with psychiatrists reviewing veterans' medical records to analyze their medical backgrounds.

USUHS hosts DoD's Brain Tissue Repository for Traumatic Brain Injury as part of its Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine.

Researchers at the military's medical school also are asking veterans to donate their brains to science, but are seeking those with brain injuries. They hope former service members will make their intentions known in their wills or tell family members they want to participate.

Studies of these brains will advance the understanding of TBI and other diseases of the brain, including dementia, Alzheimer's and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, as well as brain function after injury, according to a DoD official.

Veterans with PTSD or those without who are interested in furthering the science of trauma-related mental health disorders by enrolling in the brain bank can call the center at [login to see] or visit its website.

Those with traumatic brain injury or family members who want to contribute their loved ones' tissue can contact the repository through its web site http://www.researchbraininjury.org/brain-tissue-donation or email the center at

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/health-care/2015/07/12/va-dod-looking-for-good-and-damaged-brains/29910575/

Brain Tissue Donation — CNRM Brain Tissue Repository

At the Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, a team of skilled and dedicated researchers is working to unravel the mysteries of traumatic brain injury. Examining brain tissue is one of the most important methods to help better understand what happens after this type of injury.

Response by CSM David Heidke made Jul 13 at 2015 9:56 AM

CSM David Heidke — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 09:56:35 -0400

Some people aren't really using theirs, are you sure they can't take early donations?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2015 10:49 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 10:49:05 -0400

The thought of giving up ones brain for scientific study may be a little bit morbid, but in the end it may help thousands. Amid all the controversy, this program may be a positive for the VA.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 13 at 2015 12:43 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 12:43:32 -0400

I suffer with both, but do not care for the study, because waiting for a veteran to die to determine what he or she suffers from is stupid. Best to approach it from the science of "If walks, talks, and behave like a duck it is a Duck". Either use common sense diagnosis or take this doctors and expose them to the same traumas so that they see for themselves.

Response by SPC Cody Anderson made Jul 14 at 2015 7:11 PM

SPC Cody Anderson — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 19:11:26 -0400

Fuck that I ait giving shit you pay me enough and ill donate

Response by SSG Carl Hoffman made Jul 14 at 2015 10:46 PM

SSG Carl Hoffman — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 22:46:42 -0400

So they have a "brain bank" to study PTSD yet they still employ psychiatrists who "don't believe" in PTSD. Fan freaking tastic. Thank you Marion, Indiana VA.

Response by LTC Mo Vanderslice made Jul 14 at 2015 11:58 PM

LTC Mo Vanderslice — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 23:58:58 -0400

I have both, but no thanks. This will get covered up the same way as Agent Orange from Vietnam and the radiation from Desert Storm. Let the researcher get into the field (not anther group of Fobets) and find out for themselves.

Response by Sgt Tim Brooks made Jul 15 at 2015 1:23 AM

Sgt Tim Brooks — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 01:23:30 -0400

There's a lot of ignorant and uneducated comments on here. When you die you don't need a brain, so what better way than to serve your brothers and sister after you're gone then to help doctors find a better treatment plan. As a grunt with multiple tours to Iraq and that suffers from PTSD and TBI I would want to help find a better treatment path. Our suicide rate is going up, we only know 33% of how to fix these injuries. Making negative comments or saying crap like " let's expose these doctors to it" seriously? Grow up! I'm studying to become a doctor, there are plenty vets that are doctors that focus on helping their brothers and sisters in arms. Go shove that ego somewhere else and be productive. Have a better idea? I'm sure these doctors would love to hear, chances are they have already looked into it. They need to see if/how neurons are working and if there's a mutation, excess chemical production etc etc. smh

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 8:09 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 20:09:50 -0400

Here's one I've been working with for several years. They are contracted by DoD in Bethesda, MD. After entering the study, I do an annual online health screening questionnaire, with telephone consult and receive a $50 check for participation.