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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
System for Focal, Closed-System Central Nervous System Injury
Published on: November 29, 2024
Neuropsychological evaluation of blast-related concussion: illustrating the challenges and complexities through
Nathaniel W Nelson1, James B Hoelzle, Kathryn A McGuire
1University of St. Thomas, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, LaSalle Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA. nels0600@stthomas.edu
Background/Objective:
Soldiers of Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF) sustain blast-related mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) with alarming regularity. This study discusses factors in addition to concussion, such as co-morbid psychological difficulty (e.g. post-traumatic stress) and symptom validity concerns that may complicate neuropsychological evaluation in the late stage of concussive injury.
Case Report:
The study presents the complexities that accompany neuropsychological evaluation of blast concussion through discussion of three case reports of OEF/OIF personnel.
Discussion:
The authors emphasize uniform assessment of blast concussion, the importance of determining concussion severity according to acute-injury characteristics and elaborate upon non-concussion-related factors that may impact course of cognitive limitation. The authors conclude with a discussion of the need for future research examining the impact of blast concussion (particularly recurrent concussion) and neuropsychological performance.
