The project will work with veterans from the Afghanistan conflict to understand some of the long-term effects of trauma
New research will look at the potential effect on former services personnel of trauma leading to accelerated ageing, thanks to new funding from a leading military health charity.
Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) has awarded £298,000 to the University of Birmingham to carry out a research project on accelerated aging amongst ex-Service personnel who have experienced trauma. The research will determine the biological age of ex-Service personnel that experienced trauma during their service in Afghanistan and identify how the effects of trauma can be alleviated.
The University of Birmingham will work in conjunction with the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre’s ADVANCE cohort on the 15-month project.
Ex-Service personnel who survive a major traumatic injury have an increased risk of early onset of diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and dementia, which would typically be associated with old age. However, there is a lack of understanding of why these increased risks occur. The researchers will therefore seek to understand whether aging has been accelerated by physical or psychological trauma, and how best ex-Service personnel who share this experience can have their symptoms treated so that they can lead successful and fulfilling civilian lives.
If injury does lead to accelerated ageing we can develop new ways to improve health outcomes for all.
Janet Lord, Emeritus Professor of Immune Cell Biology at the University of Birmingham said:
“Factors that affect how the body ages are varied and intertwined, and there is a growing understanding of how injury and trauma may affect our biological ageing trajectory.
“Through the generous funding from Forces in Mind Trust, this study is a hugely exciting opportunity to work with former service personnel. We hope that through the partnership with ADVANCE and Stamford Hall to get a better understanding of the role that trauma does play in ageing, and that if injury does lead to accelerated ageing we can develop new ways to improve health outcomes for all.”
Michelle Alston, Chief Executive of Forces in Mind Trust said:
“Those who have served in the Armed Forces and experienced trauma are often disadvantaged when they join civilian life, and the reason for some of this impact has not yet been fully understood. This project gets to the core of the challenges faced by some ex-Service personnel.
“By understanding the driving factors behind higher rates of dementia, cardiovascular disease and early mortality we can alleviate the symptoms and improve health outcomes for ex-Service personnel who have experienced trauma. FiMT are delighted to be funding this project and its potential to make a real change to the lives of ex-Service personnel and families.”
Image credit: North Atlantic Treaty Organization, British Army participates in Exercise Spring Storm 19, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Emeritus Professor of Immune Cell Biology
Staff profile for Professor Janet Lord, Emeritus Professor of Immune Cell Biology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham.
