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| Troops assessed for brain injury | Troops assessed for brain injury |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Troops exposed to explosions in Iraq and Afghanistan are to be checked for brain injury, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. | Troops exposed to explosions in Iraq and Afghanistan are to be checked for brain injury, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. |
| The MoD said questionnaires had been sent to troops to see if they had signs of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). | The MoD said questionnaires had been sent to troops to see if they had signs of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). |
| The survey was triggered by fears in the US Army that up to 20% of soldiers were returning with the condition. | The survey was triggered by fears in the US Army that up to 20% of soldiers were returning with the condition. |
| Symptoms include memory loss, anxiety and depression. In 90% of cases they disappear within three months. | |
| 'Signature injury' | 'Signature injury' |
| The Guardian reported that the Pentagon had designated mTBI as one of the "signature injuries" suffered by soldiers coming back from Iraq. | The Guardian reported that the Pentagon had designated mTBI as one of the "signature injuries" suffered by soldiers coming back from Iraq. |
| The MoD said it was collaborating with the US Army to investigate the condition, but a spokesman emphasised that it did not necessarily accept that the disorder was as widespread is it is believed to be by the Americans. | The MoD said it was collaborating with the US Army to investigate the condition, but a spokesman emphasised that it did not necessarily accept that the disorder was as widespread is it is believed to be by the Americans. |
| The spokesman said: "It is a very, very complex area. We have no way of knowing whether that [the US assessment] is accurate because there is a level of dispute as to what constitutes mTBI." | The spokesman said: "It is a very, very complex area. We have no way of knowing whether that [the US assessment] is accurate because there is a level of dispute as to what constitutes mTBI." |
| He said symptoms may last for as little as 72 hours - and had gone in 80% of cases within two weeks, and in more than 90% of cases within three months. | He said symptoms may last for as little as 72 hours - and had gone in 80% of cases within two weeks, and in more than 90% of cases within three months. |
| If the American figures are correct, this is massive. Absolutely massive Kit Malia, cognitive rehabilitation therapist | If the American figures are correct, this is massive. Absolutely massive Kit Malia, cognitive rehabilitation therapist |
| The questionnaire-based self assessment is currently being trialled in Iraq and Afghanistan, and will be brought to all those who may be affected in the new year. | The questionnaire-based self assessment is currently being trialled in Iraq and Afghanistan, and will be brought to all those who may be affected in the new year. |
| The questionnaires are supported by a helpline and a website, and there is an mTBI treatment programme at the military rehabilitation centre at Headley Court in Surrey. | The questionnaires are supported by a helpline and a website, and there is an mTBI treatment programme at the military rehabilitation centre at Headley Court in Surrey. |
| The condition is caused by a blow to the head or by being close to an explosion. It can also be sustained in contact sports such as boxing or rugby. | The condition is caused by a blow to the head or by being close to an explosion. It can also be sustained in contact sports such as boxing or rugby. |
| The frequency of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), used as roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan, has put soldiers who have served there at particular risk of the injury. | The frequency of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), used as roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan, has put soldiers who have served there at particular risk of the injury. |
| Kit Malia, a cognitive rehabilitation therapist who will oversee the treatment programme, told The Guardian: "I think the issue is that we don't know whether the Americans are correct. | Kit Malia, a cognitive rehabilitation therapist who will oversee the treatment programme, told The Guardian: "I think the issue is that we don't know whether the Americans are correct. |
| "But if the American figures are correct, this is massive. Absolutely massive." | "But if the American figures are correct, this is massive. Absolutely massive." |