Brain injuries from roadside blasts are similar to football injuries

ABC News : In a study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, researchers found that improvised explosive devices, such as those used in terrorist or guerrilla attacks, can cause long-term brain damage. The researchers compared brain-tissue samples from four soldiers with those from three amateur American football players and a professional wrestler. All were known to have suffered blast exposure or concussive injury. The results showed that the brain damage observed in blast-exposed veterans is similar to the brain injuries in football players who have sustained repetitive concussive head injuries. The finding is significant because it demonstrates a common link between what had previously been believed to be two disparate injury mechanisms.