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Blast injuries are considered the "signature" wound of the Iraq war and are largely a result of newer, more powerful explosive devices.

"One cause of the high rates of TBI is relatively simple: survival," Young said. "The reason more people are surviving is better on-the-scene treatment and medivacing to facilities within minutes rather than hours."

According to the Department of Defense (DOD), more than 5,500 soldiers had suffered TBIs as of January 2008, accounting for about 22 percent of all casualties, as compared with only 12 percent to 14 percent of all combat casualties during the Vietnam War.

In an effort to detail the long-term consequences of TBI, the committee looked at almost 2,000 studies on the subject.

The committee found evidence of a causal relationship between penetrating TBI and unprovoked seizures as well as death, and between severe or moderate TBI with unprovoked seizures.

There was "sufficient" evidence of an association between TBI and decline in neurocognitive function, long-term unemployment and problems with social relationships; Alzheimer's-like dementia, endocrine dysfunction, depression, aggressive behavior, memory problems and early death.

There was "limited/suggestive" evidence of an association between moderate or severe TBI and diabetes or psychosis; and between mild TBI and visual problems, dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide.

"Inadequate/insufficient" evidence existed on the relationship between moderate or severe TBI and brain tumors; mild TBI and employment and social functioning problems, bipolar disorder or attempted suicide; TBI and multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease). '/>"/>