. 2022 Sep 29;39(19-20):1391–1407. doi: 10.1089/neu.2022.0030

Table 1.

Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria

Inclusion
25-45 years of age
Male^a
Active-duty SOF
History of combat deployment confirmed by VA or DoD records^b
History of combat exposure during any deployment verified by the CES^c

Exclusion
History of moderate or severe TBI^d
History of major neurologic disorder
Untreated or unstable severe psychiatric condition
Current severe medical condition that requires long-term treatments
Imaging contraindications^e including safety concerns, medical conditions that could affect cerebral metabolism, or use of certain medications
Any condition that may cause undue risk to the subject or create a logistical or safety contraindication to enrollment

^{^a}

This pilot study excludes females to avoid imbalance across the blast exposure groups, given that the majority of SOF are male.

^{^b}

Deployment is defined as being deployed to a region of conflict while serving in the U.S. military.

^{^c}

Endorsement of any CES item ensures that all participants will have experienced combat situations during their military career.

^{^d}

The VA/DoD definition of TBI is used for this study: initial Glasgow Coma Scale score <13, loss of consciousness duration >30 min, post-traumatic amnesia duration >24 h, or abnormal structural brain imaging.

^{^e}

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contraindications included: metal in the body that would make an MRI scan unsafe, pre-existing medical conditions including a likelihood of developing seizures or claustrophobic reactions, inability to lie supine for up to 2 h in the MRI scanner, and >300 pounds due to the MRI table's weight limit. Prior radiation exposure of ≥50 mSv over the past 12 months is considered a contraindication for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.

SOF, Special Operations Forces; VA, Veterans Affairs; DoD, Department of Defense; CES, Combat Exposure Scale; TBI, traumatic brain injury.