How Two Veterans Developed The Same Rare Brain Condition

两名退伍军人如何患上同样罕见的脑部疾病

Short Wave

2025-01-07

11 分钟

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Some weapons used by the U.S. military are so powerful they can pose a threat to the people who fire them. Today, we meet two Marines, William Wilcox and Michael Lozano, who spent years firing missiles and rockets, then developed the same rare brain condition: arteriovenous malformation, or AVM. The condition sends high pressure blood from a tangle of abnormal blood vessels directly into fragile veins, which can leak or burst. Most AVMs are caused by genetic changes that affect the growth of blood vessels, so the connection between weapon blasts and AVM isn't always immediately clear. But NPR's brain correspondent Jon Hamilton reports that recent research suggests that blast waves can alter genes in the brain — and that the evidence is even stronger for less extreme blood vessel changes. Have questions or story ideas? Let us know by emailing shortwave@npr.org! Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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Hey, Short Wavers, NPR's Brain Guy and sometimes Short Wave substitute host is with me today.
Hello, John Hamilton.
Hello.
Regina Barber.
So you've been on the pod many times with me, also substituting for me while I was away.
Thank you very much.
Thank you for making fun of me on the show.
I had a great time making fun of you.
Not that I want you to go away again or anything, of course.
I mean, people can't live without me.
We're gonna turn things a little bit more serious, though, today.
John, you're actually joining us today to follow up on an episode we did actually a few months ago.
Right, right.
Gina, Back in August, we talked about how some people who fired powerful weapons in the military can end up with brain damage.
We talked about concussions or maybe a more serious traumatic brain injury.

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How Two Veterans Developed The Same Rare Brain Condition

两名退伍军人如何患上同样罕见的脑部疾病

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