Test aims to enable doctors to better detect brain injuries Published Jan. 15, 2010 Mental Health Clinic TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- When bombs go off, people are injured, but these injuries are not always visible or easily apparent and the Air Force is looking for better ways to identify brain trauma. An Army mobility surge team visited Tinker Air Force Base recently to conduct a mass pre-deployment assessment test on more than 200 Airmen from the 552nd Air Control Wing. The assessment was a computer-based test known as the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics, or ANAM. It is a tool designed to detect speed and accuracy of attention, learning ability, memory, decision making, spatial and mathematical processing which are cognitive functions. The full ANAM test system includes three questionnaires and seven tests to assess different cognitive functions and can be used to address various clinical conditions. It records an individual's performance through responses provided on a computer. The purpose of this test is to establish a baseline in the event that an individual is injured by some type of blast during a deployment that results in a head injury or if there is any suspicion of a head or brain injury. This test is important because if an individual experiences some kind of head injury from the blast of an Improvised Explosive Device or motor vehicle accident while deployed, medical professionals can pull up their pre-deployment test results, administer the test again, and compare the results before and after the injury. This will help determine if there are any changes in their cognitive functions. "With today's advances in technology, we believe that even subtle issues can be detected, which will allow us to intervene early and prevent long term problems," said Allen Clawson, Mental Health Clinic. "Leaders at all levels look to the medical community to take care of their Airmen and we take this responsibility very seriously." Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, TBIs, commonly known as concussions, has been a special area of concern according to the Air Force. It may cause changes such as slower reaction times, headaches, irritability, memory impairment and sleep difficulty. These symptoms may result in decreased performance on the job. Some individuals may not even be aware that they have a concussion because symptoms may not be obvious. The ANAM test can help detect any unnoticed symptoms. That's why the test is now mandatory for all Airmen deploying within the next 12 months. On Nov. 18, 2009, the Air Force vice chief of staff signed a memo mandating all service members deploying to combat zones be administered the ANAM. Because it is mandatory for soon-to-be deployers, the ANAM test has been added to the pre-deployment checklist. Tinker AFB has a high deployment-operations tempo, and currently has the capability to test 90 Airmen per week. With the Army mobility team's help, the Medical Group was able to test more than 200 individuals in one day. The Army's two-person mobility team travels around the United States to conduct the ANAM test. It is their primary job. "The 72nd MDG sincerely appreciates the Army's support in this endeavor, as neurocognitive assessment in the evaluation of TBI is a critical element in the overall force health protection strategy," Mr. Clawson said. The ANAM test is the current Neurocognitive Assessment Tool and was developed within the Department of Defense put together by Oklahoma University's Center for the Study of Human Operator Performance. If you have any questions about the test or its administration contact Mr. Clawson at 736-4393.