Plasma Biomarkers, Brain Volume, and Cognitive Performance in Service Members and Veterans With mTBI

Does the association between plasma biomarkers and brain volume and that between plasma biomarkers and cognition vary by number of combat- and blast-related mTBIs?This cross-sectional study of 1160 service members and veterans found that among those with 0 and 2 mTBIs, higher UCH-L1 concentrations were associated with smaller anterior cingulate cortex volume. Further, among those with 2 mTBIs, higher concentrations of biomarkers of neuronal injury were associated with visual memory and executive functioning, while no associations were observed for those with 0 mTBIs.In this study, blood-based biomarkers of neuronal injury were associated with brain structure and cognition, but few results passed multiple comparison correction and should be interpreted with caution.

Corresponding Author: Heather E. Dark, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, 525 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205 (Hdark1@jh.edu).

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