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. 2024 Mar 27;19(3):e0301026. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301026

Table 3. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for Phase 2.

Inclusion criteria
Age between 18 and 65
Veterans with MOSs during service defined to be high-risk that are associated with exposures to blast during training and/or combat. These can include Cannon Crewmembers, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Specialists, Fire Infantrymen, Combat Engineers, and Special Forces etc.
Exposure to repeated blasts as part of military duties
Score of 2 of greater on at least one Neurobehavioral Symptom Questionnaire (NSI) symptom
Ability to provide informed consent
Willingness to provide blood
Exclusion criteria
Inability to adequately respond to questions regarding the informed consent procedure
Currently involved in the criminal justice system as a prisoner or ward of the state
Non-English speaking
Current occupation involving shift work
Female Veteran who is pregnant
Lifetime history of bipolar disorder or psychosis
History of moderate or severe TBI
Changes in regularly used medications (e.g., daily) in the last month for medications known to impact sleep (e.g., benzodiazepines, etc.)
Current chronic steroid use
History of neurological or neurodegenerative disease such as multiple sclerosis
History of brain tumor
History of seizure disorder unrelated to TBI
History of HIV/AIDS
Current systemic illness such as uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, hypo- or hyperthyroidism, or systemic cancer
Acute disease at the time of enrollment (defer sampling until subject recovers). Acute disease is defined as the presence of a moderate or severe illness with or without fever