澳大利亚国防军与莫纳什大学合作，将开展一项为期四年的研究项目，对约400名防卫人员进行血液检测和神经学检查，以识别武器爆炸导致的脑损伤[1]。该研究将综合运用头盔上的爆炸压力传感器数据、血液生物标志物分析和认知评估等手段，深入了解重复低强度爆炸暴露对军人脑部健康的长期影响[1]。血液检测将在爆炸暴露后一天内进行[1]。
这项研究是对皇家委员会建议的直接回应[1]。2024年皇家委员会的调查发现创伤性脑损伤与退伍军人自杀风险升高密切相关[1]。国防和退伍军人事务部长马特·科夫表示，"国防军人员的健康、安全和福祉是我的最高优先事项"[1]。莫纳什大学教授桑迪·舒尔茨指出，"尽管低水平爆炸暴露是防卫部门的常见经历，但关于其导致的脑损伤研究极少"[1]。退役陆军中校保罗·斯坎兰则表示，"从阿富汗回来的一些人现在已经自杀了"[1]。
Australia's Defence Force is launching a four-year research program to identify brain injuries caused by weapon blast exposure among military personnel [1]. The study will involve approximately 400 defence force members who will undergo blood tests and neurological assessments [1]. Blood samples will be collected within one day of blast exposure and analyzed for biological markers, while helmet-mounted pressure sensors will track blast intensity and cognitive evaluations will measure mental function [1].
The research initiative responds to recommendations from a 2024 royal commission inquiry, which found that traumatic brain injury is associated with elevated suicide risk among veterans [1]. According to retired Army Major Paul Scanlan, "some people who came back from Afghanistan have now taken their own lives" [1]. Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh stated that "the health, safety and wellbeing of Defence personnel is my highest priority" [1]. Professor Sandy Shultz from Monash University emphasized the research gap, noting that "despite low-level blast exposure being a common experience in the defence sector, there is very little research on the brain injuries it causes" [1].