13 years, 4 months ago

Military's Brain-Testing Program A Debacle

Military's Brain-Testing Program A Debacle The U.S. military has spent more than $42 million to test every service member's brain to find out who suffered a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Hockey League May Have Better Solution Another problem with the program is that top military officials did not choose a very good test, according to the Pentagon's own medical advisers. Sponsor Message A Third Problem Despite the test's flaws, studies show ANAM can help spot troops with brain injuries if military officials use it correctly. Information Paper: ANAM Program Use Jack Tsao, a Navy commander and neurologist who runs the traumatic brain injury programs for the Navy and Marines, says the answer for those services is easy: "Yes, if there's an abnormality we need to follow it up." But Lt. Gen. Eric Schoomaker, who runs the Army's medical system, issued a written order in November 2008 that said Army troops who score low on the ANAM test "will not" be referred for a follow-up medical evaluation.

NPR

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