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 one of five hormones at 3 years post‐injury. Anxiety disorders were the most common MHD observed in concussed SMs with hypopituitarism, while there was also a trend for SMs with chronic pituitary dysfunction to have MHD diagnoses. Findings indicate blast‐related mTBI may be associated with long‐term health outcomes following a period of incubation. Neuroendocrine screenings may increase treatment opportunities, inform rehabilitation strategies, and improve overall quality of life for patients.
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Limited evidence suggests a similar increase in hormone dysfunction following blast injury and non-blast TBI incurred during military service.
“Limited evidence suggests a similar increase in hormone dysfunction following blast injury as well as non-blast TBI incurred during military service.”
From Neuroendocrine Disruptions Following Head Injury (2023) · cites this paper as [46]
Studies of military personnel with TBI suggested higher rates of pituitary dysfunction after TBI during military service, but none allowed full pituitary evaluations.
“All results suggested higher rates of pituitary dysfunction after TBI during military service, but none of the study designs allowed for full pituitary evaluations.”
From Neuroendocrine Disruptions Following Head Injury (2023) · cites this paper as [46]
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Neuroendocrine Disruptions Following Head Injury
Wexler, T. L. (2023) · Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports · doi:10.1007/s11910-023-01263-5 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
- Authors
- Ciarlone, S. L., Statz, J. K., Goodrich, J. A., Norris, J. N., Goforth, C. W., Ahlers, S. T., & Tschiffely, A. E.
- Affiliations
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation (US)
- Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (US)
- Naval Medical Research Command (US)
- Corresponding author
- Statz, Jonathan K.
- Venue
- Journal of Neuroscience Research
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2020-03-11
- Volume
- 98
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1174-1187
- ISSN
- 0360-4012 (ISSN-L)
- 1097-4547
- OpenAlex
- W3011292378
- Cited by
- 16
- References
- 59
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2
- FWCI
- 1.25
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Neuroscience Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Wounded Ill and Injured Special Program (#16TB0001)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Traumatic Brain Injury Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Traumatic Brain Injury and Neurovascular Disturbances
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Keywords
- mild traumatic brain injury, neuroendocrine dysfunction, hypopituitarism, luteinizing hormone deficiency, androgen deficiency, human growth hormone, cortisol, prolactin, mental illness, anxiety disorders, military personnel, Operation Enduring Freedom, long-term health effects
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anxiety Disorders, Brain Concussion, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Hypopituitarism, Luteinizing Hormone, Male, Mental Health, Military Personnel, Prolactin, Testosterone, Human Growth Hormone
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