Evidence of blast injuries found in an Australian veteran's brain for the first time | 7.30

Key Concepts:

• Blast overpressure exposure
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Interface Astroglial Scarring (IAS)
• Australian Veterans Brain Bank
• Cognitive baselining
• Veteran suicide
• Duty of care
• Blast gauge

Andrew Jennings' Experience:

• Andrew Jennings, a 20-year veteran of the Australian Army, is nearing the end of his service due to health issues.
• He served with the school of infantry and deployed to Iraq, training soldiers in heavy weapons, specifically the 84mm Carl Gustav (KL Gustav).
• Jennings became concerned about the effects of repeated blast exposure from weapons like the KL Gustav on soldiers' brains.
• He describes the experience of firing the KL Gustav as "like getting punched in the head," feeling the pressure wave through his sinuses and experiencing headaches and nausea, classic signs of concussion.
• Over time, Jennings developed memory issues, anger problems, and disorientation, documenting his symptoms in video diaries. Examples include forgetting his wife's name, getting lost driving to work, and struggling to remember the names of colleagues.
• Doctors diagnosed him with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), likely caused by blast exposure.

Blast Exposure and Safety Measures:

• The KL Gustav produces significant blast overpressure, creating a shearing force through the body.
• Australian regulations limit firing to seven rounds per day due to the intensity of the blast.
• Footage shows soldiers logging their blast exposure and safety supervisors positioned close to the blast.
• The Chief of Army acknowledges the importance of adhering to these limits for the health and wellbeing of personnel.
• Jennings reports instances where these limits were exceeded due to ammunition quotas and staff shortages, citing an instance of doing 46 rounds in 36 hours.

Research and Diagnosis:

• There is no definitive diagnostic test for blast-related TBI in living individuals; diagnosis often occurs postmortem.
• Jennings has pledged to donate his brain to the Australian Veterans Brain Bank for research.
• The Australian Veterans Brain Bank has received over 450 pledges from veterans.
• Researchers are looking for a unique pattern of damage called Interface Astroglial Scarring (IAS), which has been linked to blast exposure in US Department of Defense Brain Bank studies.
• IAS is characterized by scarring or gliosis at the interface between gray and white matter in the brain.
• Six veterans' brains have been donated, and researchers have found the first evidence of IAS in an Australian veteran with a history of blast exposure.
• The neuropathology community acknowledges the link between blast exposure and brain injury.

Army's Response and Advocacy:

• The Chief of Army acknowledges that Australian soldiers have sustained brain injuries from repeated low-level blasts during training, a fact learned over time.
• The Army is focused on preventing injury and ensuring proper treatment for those affected.
• Paul Scanland, a former special forces officer, advocates for soldiers exposed to blast, pushing for faster action from the military and government.
• Scanland highlights the slow pace of change and the distress of veterans, including instances of suicidal ideation.
• The Veteran Suicide Royal Commission has noted the link between blast exposure and suicide.
• The Department of Defense has initiated a brain injury program and is developing a plan to cognitively baseline soldiers and track their blast exposure.
• Veterans feel let down by the slow response and the difficulty in obtaining a diagnosis linked to their service.

Jennings' Future and Call to Action:

• Jennings was declared medically unfit for duty and diagnosed with PTSD, major depressive disorder, and persistent suicidality.
• Despite potential pushback, he speaks out to raise awareness of the issue, which affects a large number of defense members and their families.
• He emphasizes the need for recognition and support for those affected by blast exposure.
• The video provides a resource for veterans and their families needing help: Open Arms (1800 011 046).

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The video highlights the serious issue of blast-related brain injuries in the Australian military, focusing on the personal experience of Andrew Jennings. It underscores the need for improved safety measures, faster action from the military and government, better diagnostic tools, and increased support for affected veterans. The research being conducted by the Australian Veterans Brain Bank offers hope for a better understanding of these injuries and improved treatment options in the future. The call to action emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing this often-invisible wound of war.