RecruitingObservational

Traumatic brain injury related changes in military veterans

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens after a severe jolt or knock to the head. Many UK military personnel and veterans experience head injuries, which can sometimes lead to long-lasting difficulties with vision, mood, and mental health. Currently, doctors cannot easily predict who will develop these long-term issues. Run by the University of Birmingham, this study aims to understand what changes in the body after a head injury. Researchers will collect blood and saliva samples, check eye health, and track mood and quality of life over 12 months. The study includes military veterans, civilians recently treated in hospital for a head injury, and healthy volunteers. Joining involves brief hospital visits for simple tests and completing short questionnaires from home. The findings will help doctors detect complications early and create more targeted therapies for veterans and civilians alike.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Birmingham

Enrolment target

Start

01 Nov 2023

Estimated completion

30 Jul 2027

Traumatic brain injury

What is this study about?

A traumatic brain injury, often called a TBI, happens when a blow or blast jolts the head. In military service, these injuries are often caused by explosions or combat incidents, though vehicle accidents and falls cause them too. While some symptoms like dizziness or headaches clear up quickly, many people experience lingering effects. In fact, a significant number of people develop mental health or mood problems months or years down the line. At present, doctors cannot easily tell why these issues arise or who is most at risk.

To solve this, researchers at the University of Birmingham are carrying out a detailed health study. They want to see if subtle clues in the blood, saliva, or eyes can act as 'early warning signs' for future health problems. By checking these signals alongside regular questions about mood and daily living, the team hopes to map out how the brain recovers over time.

The ultimate goal is to build tools that help doctors make fast, accurate decisions about a person's recovery. Identifying problems early means veterans and civilians can get the right treatments, therapies, and rehabilitation before their quality of life is heavily affected.

Key takeaways

The study explores how head injuries affect long-term mental health and vision in veterans and civilians.
No new medications are tested; it uses routine blood tests, saliva samples, eye exams, and questionnaires.
Participation lasts for 12 months, with two to three hospital visits and simple home surveys.
Healthy volunteers with no history of head injuries are also needed for comparison.
Joining is completely voluntary and will not impact your normal NHS or military healthcare.

Who may be eligible?

The study is looking for three groups of adults aged 18 and older. The first group is military veterans who have had a moderate or severe head injury in the past (or service personnel preparing to leave the military within six months who had an injury). The second group is people who were admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham with a head injury in the last 14 days. The third group is healthy volunteers who have never had a head injury, to act as a comparison.

To take part, you must have two eyes, be able to understand and agree to join, and be willing to attend the study appointments. Women who are pregnant are not eligible for this study.

You cannot join if you have severe sight loss, or if you have a pre-existing brain or nerve condition. These include conditions like Parkinson's disease, dementia, epilepsy that requires medication, or known diseases of the retina or optic nerve.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am aged 18 or over.
I have two eyes and do not have severe registered sight loss.
I am not pregnant.
I do not have a condition like dementia, Parkinson's, or epilepsy needing medication.
I fit into one of the three study groups: a veteran with a head injury, a recent hospital patient with a head injury, or a healthy control.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in the study lasts for 12 months. This is an observational study, which means you will not be asked to take any new trial drugs or undergo experimental treatments. Instead, researchers will track your health using routine, standard tests.

At the start of the study, you will visit the hospital to give small samples of blood and saliva. You will also have a standard eye check and a confidential mental health interview with a clinician. Depending on your group, you will return to the hospital for similar checks at 6 and 12 months (people in the acute hospital group will also have a quick 1-month check).

Between visits, you will be asked to fill in brief questionnaires every 3 months about your mood, energy, and day-to-day life. These can be completed at home and returned using pre-paid envelopes, so you do not need to travel for every assessment.

Potential risks and benefits

This study carries very low risk. Giving a blood sample can sometimes cause slight soreness or mild bruising, but tests are done by trained healthcare professionals. Eye checks and questionnaires are completely safe and painless. While taking part may not directly improve your own health condition, your involvement could help improve future medical care and rehabilitation for injured veterans and civilians. Taking part is entirely voluntary, and you are free to stop at any time without giving a reason and without it affecting your standard medical or military care.

Locations (1)

University Hospitals Birmingham
Approximate
Birmingham, England

Common questions

Will I have to test a new medicine?

No. This study does not involve testing any new medications. The researchers are only monitoring your natural recovery using blood, saliva, vision, and wellbeing checks.

Do I have to travel to the hospital for every check?

No. Hospital visits are only required for physical tests like blood collection and eye checks, usually at the start, 6 months, and 12 months. Wellbeing surveys are filled out at home and posted back.

Will joining affect my military pension or NHS treatment?

Not at all. Your participation is completely separate from your military records, pension, and routine NHS care.

What happens to the samples I provide?

Your blood and saliva samples are securely stored and analysed by scientists looking for natural markers linked to brain health and recovery.

Can I take part if I have never served in the military?

Yes. The study is also recruiting civilians who have recently been treated for a head injury, as well as healthy volunteers who have never had a head injury.

How to find out more

Zubair Ahmed

z.ahmed.1@bham.ac.uk +44 (0)121 4148854 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.