Perspective: Soldiers run high risk of epilepsy following brain trauma

WASHINGTON - Survivors of traumatic brain injuries — from car-crash victims to soldiers wounded in Iraq — face an extra hurdle as they recover: Thousands of them will develop epilepsy months or years later.

The risk is especially high for certain kinds of war injuries. Studies of Vietnam veterans suggest up to 50 percent, says Dr. Nancy Temkin of the University of Washington.

Major new research is beginning into ways to predict exactly who is most at risk and how to protect their vulnerable brains.

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