8:00 am - 8:45 am The National Intrepid Center Of Excellence; A New Paradigm In The Diagnosis, Treatment Planning And Life Long Follow-On Strategy

• A holistic approach to the referral, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of those with complex TBI and psychological disorders
• The Next-Gen in generating, improving, and harnessing the latest advances in science, therapy, telehealth, education, research and technology while providing compassionate family-centered care for service members and their loved ones throughout the recovery and community reintegration process.

COL George F. Nussbaum, PhD, AN
Deputy Director Clinical and Research Support Services
National Intrepid Center of Excellence

8:45 am - 10:15 am Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) In The OEF/OIF Conflicts

TBI has been referred to as the “signature injury” of the OEF/OIF conflict. In many respects it differs from TBIs seen in the civilian environment, as many of these TBIs are related to blast exposure. There are a number of controversies surrounding the appropriate diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of returning veterans with known or suspected TBI, ranging from mechanism of injury to prognosis for long-term outcome. This discussion will review some of the neuroscientific and medical issues being actively discussed in the TBI field, as well as patient management challenges being faced by euron-clinicians who treat returning veterans.

What will be covered:

• Current controversies in TBI, e.g. How do blasts injure the brain?
• Is it mild TBI or PTSD or both?
• Diagnostic and treatment approaches to TBI sequelae such as headache, epilepsy, and cognitive deficits

How you will benefit:

• You will understand important diagnostic issues in TBI medicine and how it relates to the OEF/OIF conflicts.
• You will be able to discuss treatments for TBI that are derived from current clinical practice guidelines and new research advances

Gary M. Abrams, MD
Rehabilitation Section Chief, San Francisco VA, Medical Center; Department of Neurology, University of California
San Francisco

10:45 am - 12:30 pmPanel Discussion On MTBI Research And Evaluation Of MTBI Pre/Post Deployment

The U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) at Fort Rucker & Fort Campbell and two other military medical facilities currently are collaborating in a comprehensive research project, using various technologies to evaluate and characterize vestibular, auditory and oculomotor conditions in soldiers suffering from hard-to-detect mTBI as a result of blast exposure. A multidisciplinary dizziness clinic was developed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and consists of an Audiologist, Neurotologist, and Physical Therapist. A multidisciplinary clinical model for managing dizzy patients is proposed in order to expedite clinical assessment, reduce the cost of protracted and unnecessary medical appointments, and reduce lost duty time for active duty patients. In addition, advances in computerized assessment make it possible to quantify specific impairments and rehabilitation outcomes, related to the vestibular system, ocular motor system and postural control. This presentation will provide a review of the WRAMC multidisciplinary dizziness clinic, laboratory tests, and treatment.

What you will learn:

• Hear about new techniques for diagnoses and treatment of mTBI
• Update on current research projects

How you will benefit:

• Learn in an interactive forum from leading members of the medical community
• Become familiar with current technologies that can aide in the diagnosis of mTBI

Panel members:

1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Persistent Problems After Traumatic Brain Injury: The Need For Long-Term Follow-Up And Coordinated Care

Convoys across the desert, patrolling the waters, keeping guard at base and surveying airspace – today’s warfighters are in need of innovative military ballistic helmet pads to mitigate, cushion, and absorb blasts in the battlefield. By limiting the blast waves of exploding IED's, absorbing the shock of high speed boats, and making sure that head to toe personal gear protects and fits, SKYDEX limits the blast force transmitted to the occupants by as much as 71%. By varying SKYDEX’s twin hemispheres – either in layout, plastic composition, the amount of plastic used or spacing between the hemis, the functionality of this life-saving equipment can be altered for the specific job it has to perform.

What you will learn:

• Hear about how advanced equipment technologies for use in the battlefield can decrease the force of blasts
• Learn about recent trials that have shown a mitigation of blast force by 71% How you will benefit:
• Become knowledgeable on the latest equipment that can be fielded for protection from blast injuries
• Discuss in an interactive forum the technology and research behind this latest technology

Mr. Tom Manney
Senior Mechanical Engineer and former USMC Reconnaissance Team Leader
SKYDEX

3:45 pm - 5:00 pm Pre- And Post- Deployment TBI Screening

It is estimated that one in five soldiers on active deployment for a year’s deployment is at risk for TBI. The Ft. Carson Soldier Readiness center has incorporated this knowledge into their comprehensive approach to screening both pre- and post- deployment in the ongoing investigation into the best ways to identify TBI and those at risk for TBI. Caring for our soldiers should be along a continuum, addressing the needs of those who fall somewhere in between "healthy" and "casualty.”

What will be covered:

• Importance of both pre- and post- deployment screening for soldier readiness
• Guidelines for evaluating the severity of combat stress injuries in individuals
• Mechanisms for implementing large scale screening as an effective force management tool

How you will benefit:

• Explain the benefits of assessing how a soldier is "ready" not just "healthy" or "casualty"
• Compare current and emerging TBI screening models
• Describe how to caregivers for utilizing all screening guidelines effectively

COL Heidi Terrio, USA, MD, MC, MPH,
Chief, Deployment Health
Ft. Carson, CO