CTE Like Pathology Found From Repetitive Low Level Blasts to Veterans Brains
CTE like brain injury from repetitive low level blast exposure is rising as a significant threat to veterans. A recent report and a Navy Health Research Center study show that shockwaves from heavy weapons and routine training can cause microscopic brain damage even without a diagnosed concussion. These injuries evade standard scans yet correlate with cognitive decline, mood instability, migraines, chronic fatigue, PTSD, and increased self harm risk. Researchers describe this condition as blast induced traumatic brain injury marked by disrupted axons and scarring along the white and gray matter boundary where pressure forces peak.
The case of Navy SEAL Ryan Larkin shows the severity. Across several deployments he was never struck by a roadside bomb. Most exposure came from shockwaves produced by his own large caliber rifle known for leaving operators disoriented. After his death, Dr Daniel Perl used very high magnification to study his brain and found axonal swelling, clusters of tiny lesions, and scarring across density transition zones. These abnormalities disrupt neural communication and degrade memory, focus, and emotional control.
A Navy study led by Dr Jennifer Belding that reviewed one hundred thirty eight thousand nine hundred forty nine service members found higher rates of PTSD, depression, migraines, chronic fatigue, and self harm related thoughts among those repeatedly exposed to incoming or outgoing blasts. Injury to thalamic circuits may disturb sleep cycles and raise self harm vulnerability. Many affected service members remain undiagnosed due to limited screening and inconsistent tracking.
The Department of Defense Warfighter Brain Health Initiative seeks to improve monitoring, set exposure limits, and expand treatment. Veterans with related symptoms can contact the VA National Center for PTSD at 1-802-296-6300 or visit ptsd.va.gov.
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