Under the radar: Examining Robert Card's potential brain trauma and CTE
Revisiting a Role Reversal
Following a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Robert Card, a 40-year-old US Army reservist and certified firearms instructor, met his unfortunate demise. His lifeless body was discovered two days after the horrifying mass shooting incident in Lewiston, Maine, on October 25th, 20XX. As investigations unfolded in the area, authorities tipped CNN off about Card's encounter in the vicinity of a recycling plant and his recent employment termination.
The Autopsy Request
Linsey Chasteen, administrator of Maine's leading medical examiner's office, shared some intriguing details with CNN. Due to his military background and extensive operational history, the chief medical examiner had insisted on a CTE test on Card's brain tissue. Chasteen indicated that the results would not alter the outcome of the autopsy, but would shed valuable insights on potential contributing factors.
Card's unusual behavior, as documented by the army, led to an "administration order" directing him to receive health care treatment due to potential auditory hallucinations and aggressive tendencies. Despite leaving the service not long ago, Card was transported to the Keller Army Community Hospital for evaluation upon the recommendation of an army reservist officer after exhibiting "abnormal behavior."
The Boston University Connection
Tissue samples were sent to the CTE center at Boston University for examination. The center's spokesperson declined to comment on the case, citing their policy to refrain from discussing active, past, or potential cases without written consent from the families. Contacted by CNN, Card's relatives did not immediately respond.
What is CTE?
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurological disease that stems from repetitive head trauma. Symptoms can include depression, irritability, cognitive decline, and memory loss. Positively diagnosed posthumously through tissue-examination during an autopsy, CTE affects athletes, military veterans, and other individuals who experience repeated head trauma.
The Controversy of Card's Case
Various sources speculate that Card's military service, specifically his role as a weapons range instructor and his proximity to explosives, may have contributed to his condition. Nowinski, the CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, a leading voice in CTE research, posits that recurring traumatic brain injuries can arise from any activity or training that exposes the brain to violent motions, as is common in the military.
The exact link between CTE and Card's actions remains unclear. However, Nowinski emphasizes that traumatic brain injuries can coincide with aggressive behavior, not just CTE.
Current Understanding of CTE in the Military
Research on the relationship between CTE and military service is still limited, with the majority of CTE cases tied to sports-related injuries. The military's lack of comprehensive blast monitoring programs and potential long-term effects on brain health further complicates the picture.
Nowinski highlights the importance of investing more in CTE research, particularly for veterans, as many have a history of contact sports and certain military training techniques. Current efforts include developing diagnostic tools to identify TBIs and prioritizing safety guidelines to minimize blast exposure.
Legislation and legal action in response to cases like Robert Card's push for improved brain safety policies among military branches and increased awareness of the risks associated with repeated head traumas.
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According to recent research, the Boston University CTE Center did not find CTE in Robert Card's brain. However, Dr. Ann McKee observed "profound changes" in the brain's structure, including severe degeneration of the white matter, inflammation, and a substantial thickening of small blood vessels. These findings suggest potential involvement of military-related head trauma in Card's condition, as his exposure to grenade blasts during his time as a weapons range instructor in the Army Reserve contributed significantly to the damage[1].
Contribution of Military Service and Repeated Head Trauma to Potential CTE Diagnoses:
- Repeated exposure to blasts, as experienced by Robert Card, can lead to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and potentially contribute to CTE's development. The repeated impacts from blasts can damage the brain's "helper cells" like astrocytes and glial cells, spreading proteins to healthier parts of the brain, contributing to CTE[1].
- Military service, particularly those involved in training and combat, is associated with an elevated risk of TBI due to blast exposure. Lack of comprehensive blast monitoring programs in the military makes it difficult to assess the specific level of exposure and understand the potential long-term effects on brain health[1][4].
- The Department of Defense (DOD) is pushing to improve brain safety policies and proactively work on understanding the impact of blast exposure. DOD is developing diagnostic tools and advanced therapies to detect and treat TBI, and implementing safety guidelines to reduce service members' blast exposure[1][4].
- Legislation and legislative action in response to cases like Robert Card's, push for better protection for service members from brain injuries, ensuring the military takes immediate measures to improve brain safety policies[1].
