Veterans Brain Bank discovers Australian-first case of IAS scarring

An invisible form of brain scarring with links to PTSD and suicide has been found in an Australian veteran’s brain for the very first time after he posthumously donated his brain to science.

An invisible form of brain scarring with suspected links to PTSD and suicide has been found inside a former Australian soldier’s brain for the very first time after he posthumously donated his brain to science.

Personal details of the veteran cannot be shared, but it’s known he had a long service history, and significant exposure to blasts.

The veteran posthumously donated his brain to the Veterans Brain Bank, a small project run by Sydney neuropathologist Michael Buckland.

The Veterans Brain Bank was established in 2023, and over 450 veterans have pledged to donate their brains to the bank after their deaths.

Dr Buckland said so far the bank has received six brains, and examined four.

19/9/24: Dr Michael Buckland at the Australian Sports Brain Bank. His work revealed Keith Titmuss - a former Manly junior and Newington schoolboy rugby player - was the youngest ever CTE case in Australia. Titmuss was 20. CTE is a disease caused by repetitive head impacts. Titmuss as never knocked out in his career. Buckland says this case should cause parents to "sit up". John Feder/The Australian.

“Of the four we’ve examined, in one brain we found a distinctive pathology that is called Interface Astroglial Scarring or IAS,” Dr Buckland said.

“IAS is an invisible condition, it can’t be picked up in scans. It’s essentially a certain pattern of scarring that’s seen at the interface of the tissue boundary and it’s thought that blast waves cause it.”

Only a handful of other IAS cases have been reported - all in U.S. defence veterans.

19/9/24: Dr Michael Buckland. John Feder/The Australian.

“We’re only just starting to understand what the effects of IAS are, but certainly in the U.S. they have described a dozen cases and all of them (the veterans) had PTSD and many committed suicide,” Dr Buckland said.

Dr Buckland is also in charge of the Australian Sports Brain Bank, and said more local evidence was needed to draw attention to IAS.

“It’s almost the same issue we saw with the Sports Brain Bank - people said CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) doesn’t exist in Australia there is no need to worry because we play different sports,” he said.

“But once the brain bank started publishing cases of CTE in Australian footy players all of a sudden people pay attention.”

Both the veteran and sports brain banks are supported solely by donations and have no government funding.

Soldiers from 3RAR conduct a live anti-armour stalk with the 84mm Carl Gustaf at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland. PHOTO: TPR Dana Millington

The Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson sustained a traumatic brain injury when an IED donated next to him while deployed in Afghanistan.

“I think it’s ridiculous that the Veterans Brain Bank isn’t funded and supported,” Mr Thompson said.

“The establishment of a brain health institution of some kind was one of the recommendations in the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide, yet nothing has happened.”

The Royal Commission concluded in 2024 and included 122 recommendations to address ‘systemic risk factors’ influencing veteran suicide rates.

Phillip Thompson OAM MP. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Mr Thompson said IAS was essentially a “blast overpressure” injury.

“Soldiers, sailors and aviators are all exposed on a regular basis to mild concussions from weapons, loud noises and blasts,” he said.

“I know people who had nose bleeds from firing 84s, who had a headache the next day and couldn’t stand up... sometimes years later they are taking medication to still treat headaches.”

Australian Army soldiers fire a 84mm Medium Direct Fire Support Weapon M3 during training in Malaysia. PHOTO: SGT Dustin Anderson

“The government has a responsibility to look after these people. (Thsi week) the Prime Minister laid a wreath at the war memorial and said we will always support those who fight for our freedom. Well, it’s time to do it and support brain health.”

Dr Buckland said it was important all types of veterans donated their brains to the bank, both those who suspected they have brain damage and those who don’t, to build up a better picture of IAS, CTE, diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and other brain traumas.

“Every donation is valuable,” he said.

“Veterans can register on our website and we’ll post you an information and consent pack in a plain envelope.”

Anyone wishing to donate financially or register as a brain donor can visit the veteransbrainbank.org.au

Originally published as Veterans Brain Bank discovers Australian-first case of IAS scarring