Bomb Blasts Alter Brain Lipid Levels

MTorrice writes "About 320,000 soldiers returning from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have struggled with neurological problems associated with traumatic brain injury, according to the Rand Corporation. Some veterans experience symptoms, such as memory loss and anxiety, without noticeable physical signs of brain injury. Now researchers report a possible chemical signature: Levels of a certain lipid spike in the brains of mice exposed to mild explosions (abstract; full article paywalled). This lipid could serve as a way to diagnose people who are at risk of developing neurological disorders after a blast, the scientists say."

Comments

Re:progesterone and traumatic brain injuries

[nido]

testosterone promotes agression in the male brain by being converted to estrogen. Women usually feel really good when they're on a progesterone-high, and only get cranky when the progesterone goes away (triggering menstruation/childbirth).