UK reveals possible link between weaponry, soldiers' brain damage cases

The UK Ministry of Defence has disclosed that thousands of British soldiers may suffer brain damage from exposure to their own weapons systems.

A neurologist with the Royal Army Medical Service told British media outlets that regular exposure to “substantial blasts” can cause mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) and concussions. This condition may affect both active-duty troops and veterans with a history of intense blast exposure, as reported on by The Defense Post.

The article points out that blast waves can damage brain blood vessels and neurons. With repeated exposure, the brain may lose its ability to recover, causing lasting neurological problems. Symptoms often mimic post-traumatic stress disorder and include severe headaches, vision issues, memory loss, and personality changes.

Mitchell noted the connection between blast exposure and brain damage became clearer during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Troops using heavy weapons—like mortars, machine guns, anti-tank systems, and explosives—are most at risk.

Researchers across the UK are developing better ways to detect and mitigate mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI), with support from the defence ministry. Prof. Lisa Hill of the University of Birmingham is studying biomarkers—chemicals released after brain injury—to help assess damage through blood or saliva tests.

“If somebody gets injured, it changes the structure and function of the brain, but it also releases chemicals that you wouldn’t normally see. So if we can measure things in blood or in their saliva, that can tell us how potentially bad their injury has been and what symptoms they might go on to get,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Prof. Karen Mullinger at the University of Nottingham is using advanced brain scans to spot signs of injury in soldiers and veterans. Her team also plans to scan troops before and after training exercises to detect blast-related changes in brain function.

“If the ’wire paths’ have been damaged by blasts or whatever else it might be, then the function is going to change.”

By Nazrin Sadigova