Risk Assessment of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Military Training

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Quantification of mild trauma brain injury risk: Measure the incidence and severity of mTBI among soldiers engaged in high-risk training activities. (e.g. parachute jumps, high-caliber firearms shooting, artillery fire, explosions). Concentration of brain injury biomarkers (GFAP, UCH-L1) in blood samples collected within 24 hours post-exposure

Biomechanical Analysis of Head Impact Forces: Evaluate the mechanical forces experienced by soldiers during high-risk activities using wearable accelerometers and high-speed video analysis. Peak head acceleration (g-force) and pressure wave analysis during training activities.

Study summary

The SNIPER-TBI study aims to identify and quantify the risk of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in soldiers of the Czech Armed Forces during specific high-risk training activities, including parachute jumps, high-caliber firearms shooting, artillery blasts, and Close Quarters Battle (CQB) exercises. The study will utilize both diagnostic biomarker analysis and experimental biomechanical measurements to assess the physiological impact of these activities on brain health. The ultimate goal is to reduce mTBI incidence, improve operational readiness, and extend the active service duration of soldiers through targeted preventive measures.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Quantification of mTBI Risk 1 — Up to 24 hours post-exposure
  Measure the severity of mTBI among soldiers engaged in high-risk training activity. Concentration of brain injury biomarker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in blood sample collected within 24 hours post-exposure. Measured in nanogram per milliliter.
• Quantification of mTBI Risk 2 — Up to 24 hours post-exposure
  Measure the severity of mTBI among soldiers engaged in high-risk training activity. Concentration of brain injury biomarker ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) in blood sample collected within 24 hours post-exposure. Measured in nanogram per milliliter.
• Biomechanical Analysis of Head Impact Forces 1 — Baseline
  Evaluate the mechanical forces experienced by soldiers during high-risk activity using wearable accelerometers and high-speed video analysis. Peak head acceleration (g-force) will be measured during training activity. Measured in meters per second squared.
• Biomechanical Analysis of Head Impact Forces 2 — Baseline
  Evaluate the mechanical forces experienced by soldiers during high-risk activities using wearable accelerometers and high-speed video analysis. Pressure wave during training activity will be analyzed. Measures in Pascal.

Trial sites (1)

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