Warning Signs of Early Death Found in Veterans with Severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder But the Risk Can be Reversed with Lifestyle Changes

November 14, 2022

In a new study published in Translational Psychiatry, examined how DNA methylation and epigenetics impact accelerated cellular aging and mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military Veterans and Service Members. The results suggest that former service personnel with PTSD are at greater risk of early death.

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The BAT-L uses novel forensic interview techniques to evaluate TBI in post-9/11 Veterans

November 10, 2022

Perceived stigma, a 'tough it out' mentality, confidentiality issues, and a commitment to the mission can all contribute to underreporting,” said Dr. Sahra Kim, research psychologist at the VA Boston Healthcare System and lead author of a recent study on the diagnostic accuracy of the Boston Assessment of Traumatic Brain Injury-Lifetime, known as BAT-L, clinical interview compared to military medical records. “Under documentation of head injuries may be due to a combination of lack of reporting, the co-occurrence of other serious injuries that require more immediate attention, or combat...

TRACTS Research Highlighted by Department of Defense Brain Injury Research

October 13, 2021

The Department of Defense Blast Injury Research Coordinating Office highlights a new study from the TRACTS Lab: Visual Disturbances Associated with Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury.

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VA's TRACTS program seeking breakthroughs on traumatic brain injury

April 1, 2020

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Researchers Study Blast Injuries in Veterans

March 11, 2019

Researchers at the Boston VA are finding that exposure to blasts even without concussion can cause structural damage to the brain.

Click here to read the full article on NPR.

For Memory Issues, It's Not So Much The Concussion As The Blast

April 30, 2018

Researchers at TRACTS have been able to control for the veterans’ common comorbidities, such as sleep disorders, PTSD and chronic pain, to tease out the impact of blast exposure on brain physiology and function.

Click here to read the full article in U.S. Medicine.

Coming Home: Diagnosing 'deployment trauma' at VA Boston

November 8, 2017

Boston 25 News presented a snapshot of TRACTS and the work we have accomplished thus far. Click here to read the full story.

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Study Links Concussion, Genes, and Alzheimer’s

May 6, 2017

Veterans with genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s and previous concussion show thinning in key areas of brain.

What alcohol does to the aging brain

March 16, 2016

The lawyer knew something was wrong with her 61-year-old mother.

She had begun showing up for appointments two hours early. Or two hours late. She was paying less attention to how she looked. She'd had two wrecks in quick succession on her way to work as a judge's...

The Effects of Chronic Heavy Drinking on Brain Function Are Underdiagnosed

December 23, 2015

Click here to read the full story published by the Wall Street Journal, covering some of TRACTS Center's alcohol research.

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Geriatric Neuropsychology Laboratory (GNL)

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