Study finds irritability long after concussions in veterans is linked to PTSD, chronic pain and hearing difficulties. Findings from a recent study demonstrate an association between irritability and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, chronic pain, and hearing difficulties in veterans with chronic mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Compared to 63 veterans without any history of brain injury, 61 veterans with mTBI reported higher levels of irritability, as well as more severe symptoms of PTSD, greater chronic pain, and greater difficulty understanding speech in noisy settings. PTSD symptoms showed the strongest association with irritability. This research indicates that irritability in chronic mTBI is not just a behavioral symptom, but may stem from physical, sensory, and emotional factors.
Visit https://news.cuanschutz.edu/news-stories/study-finds-irritability-long-after-concussions-in-veterans-is-linked-to-ptsd-chronic-pain-and-hearing-difficulties to read more.
Blast exposure in military associated with conditions like seizures, stroke years later. A recent study published in Neurology has found that high-level blast exposure was associated with an increased risk of various conditions, including seizures, stroke, and neuropathy. Among 36,641 veterans, 17% had a high risk of exposure to low-level blasts, 11% had been exposed to at least 1 high-level blast, and 5% were exposed to both high- and low-level blasts. The prevalence of seizures, stroke, and neuropathy was 3.92%, 2.03%, and 11.41%, respectively, in veterans with high-level blast exposure, compared to 1.88%, 1.62%, and 7.75%, respectively, in veterans without such exposure. Overall, veterans with high-level blast exposure experienced 79% higher odds of receiving a seizure diagnosis, 35% higher odds of receiving a stroke diagnosis, and 38% higher odds of receiving a neuropathy diagnosis.
Visit https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5366 to read more.
Varenicline and combination nicotine replacement therapy deemed preferred treatments for tobacco use. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense have released updated guidelines on tobacco use treatment. The guidelines include 32 recommendations regarding topics such as pharmacotherapy and counseling approaches. Treatment with varenicline or combination nicotine replacement therapy for tobacco cessation is recommended, and the guidelines emphasize that evidence-based medications and counseling are the most effective tools for the treatment tobacco and nicotine use. Other notable recommendations include using motivational interviewing to promote engagement in treatment, immediate retreatment for patients who experience relapse, and offering treatment to those who are not ready to quit.
Visit https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-varenicline-combination-nicotine-therapy-deemed.html to read more.
Young military veterans have higher ‘forever chemical’ levels than nonveterans. Recent research shows that veterans aged 20 to 39 years had higher levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their blood compared to nonveterans in the same age group, with PFAS levels ranging from 13% to 24% higher in veterans, depending on the chemical. Additionally, young veterans were 18% more likely than nonveterans to have PFAS levels >20 ng/mL, the threshold for monitoring for adverse health risks. PFAS exposure is linked to various health conditions, such as kidney cancer, testicular cancer, liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and thyroid dysfunction.
Visit https://www.brown.edu/news/2026-09-14/veterans-pfas to read more.
