Repetitive traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among military personnel have been linked to chronic behavioral and neurological symptoms, and poor health outcomes. Repetitive TBIs may impact inflammation, which may offer some explanation of the biological basis of these long-term risks, and may improve the care that is provided to these individuals. This study examines the concentrations of TNFα, IL-6 and IL-10 and associations with behavioral symptoms, including post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and depression in a cohort of 106 military personnel and Veterans with a history of TBI. Group comparisons conducted for those with repetitive TBIs (> 3; n = 44), to participants with less than three TBIs (n = 29), and controls with no TBIs (n = 33). The primary outcomes were serum levels of inflammatory related proteins TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10, TBI history, and PTSD symptoms. IL-6 mean concentration was significantly higher in the repetitive TBI group compared to those with 1–2 TBI or no TBI history (p = 0.050). Additionally, for participants with a history of TBI, PTSD symptom severity, specifically, intrusion (p = .006 and p = .007) and avoidance (p = .034 and .009), were significant predictors of higher IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations respectively. These findings suggest that repetitive TBIs concurrent with high PTSD symptoms in military personnel and Veterans are associated with chronic inflammation, and specifically elevated concentrations of IL-6. Examining the changes in inflammatory processes may identify potential therapeutic targets for early intervention after TBI in order to prevent the development of neurological deficits and disorders.

军事人员中反复发生的脑外伤 (TBI) 与慢性行为和神经系统症状以及不良健康结果有关。重复性脑外伤可能会影响炎症，这可能为这些长期风险的生物学基础提供一些解释，并可能改善为这些人提供的护理。本研究在 106 名有 TBI 病史的军人和退伍军人队列中检查了 TNFα、IL-6 和 IL-10 的浓度以及与行为症状的关联，包括创伤后应激障碍症状和抑郁症。对重复性 TBI 患者进行的组比较 ( >3; n = 44）、少于三个 TBI 的参与者（n = 29）和没有 TBI 的对照组（n = 33）。主要结果是炎症相关蛋白 TNF- α 的血清水平、IL-6 和 IL-10、TBI 病史和 PTSD 症状。与有 1-2 次 TBI 或无 TBI 病史的患者相比，重复性 TBI 组的 IL-6 平均浓度显着更高（p = 0.050）。此外，对于有 TBI 病史的参与者，PTSD 症状的严重程度，特别是闯入（p = .006 和 p = .007）和回避（p = .034 和 .009），是较高 IL-6 和 IL 的重要预测因子-10 浓度分别。这些发现表明，军事人员和退伍军人中重复性 TBI 与高 PTSD 症状同时发生与慢性炎症有关，特别是 IL-6 浓度升高。检查炎症过程的变化可以确定 TBI 后早期干预的潜在治疗目标，以防止神经功能缺损和障碍的发展。