LONDON, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Britain's Ministry of Defence has launched a major inquiry into brain injuries suffered by troops caught near explosions in Afghanistan and Iraq. The effects of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) include loss of memory, mood swings and depression. They can last from a matter of hours to up to three months. The condition, which has no external physical manifestations, is caused by the high velocity shockwaves from roadside bombs which jar the brain. At its simplest, it is similar to a concussion. But at its worst it can be completely debilitating. "We are doing a lot of work on it. We are working closely with the Americans," a MoD spokesman said. "This has been going on for several years. The new bit is the self-assessment questionnaire we are sending to all troops in theatre." "This is a very, very complex area. But we are doing a lot of research," he added. "A special project has been set up to look into improving understanding of the condition and diagnosis and treatment." The MoD said part of its research included trying to design a blood test that could pick up signs of the condition and therefore improve diagnosis of it. The more that was understood about the condition the better could helmet and body armour design be made to try to prevent it, the ministry spokesman said. The Guardian newspaper said in its Saturday edition the United States estimated up to one fifth of its soldiers and marines serving in Afghanistan and Iraq had suffered from MTBI. "We don't necessarily accept this figure simply because there is a level of dispute about what actually Mild Traumatic Brain Injury is," the MoD spokesman said.
