Army Has Screened Nearly All Troops for Brain Health
The service reached 97% completion on neurocognitive assessments designed to monitor brain injuries among soldiers.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Alzheimer’s
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The U.S. Army has completed neurocognitive health assessments for 97% of its service members to track brain health and assist in traumatic brain injury (TBI) recovery. This monitoring effort is now fully operational across the force.
Why it matters
Continuous monitoring is essential for identifying and supporting recovery from traumatic brain injuries, which are often linked to blast shock wave exposure. Between 2000 and 2022, over 450,000 U.S. service members received a TBI diagnosis.
The Army's Neurocognitive Assessment Tool has been completed by 97% of personnel as of September 2026. While the data provides a baseline for cognitive function, the long-term clinical efficacy of these screening intervals on TBI recovery outcomes is still being investigated.
The players
United States Army
The branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations and the management of soldier health.
National Institutes of Health
The primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and public health research, including studies on blast shock wave exposure.
The details
The tool functions by establishing a baseline for cognitive performance that clinicians can use to detect post-injury deficits. Personnel in explosives-related roles undergo this assessment annually and before deployments, while all other soldiers are evaluated at least once every three years. The program integrates risk assessment, exposure tracking, and cognitive monitoring to standardize care protocols.
Timeline
Between 2000 and 2022, over 450,000 U.S. service members were diagnosed with TBI.
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 established the mandate for routine neuroimaging.
By September 2026, 97% of troops had completed the neurocognitive assessment.
Health Landscape
This effort represents a shift toward mandatory, systematic cognitive surveillance in military medicine, following the mandates of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020. It aligns with broader research from the National Institutes of Health regarding the cumulative impacts of blast exposure.
While this program is specific to military personnel, it highlights the importance of establishing cognitive baselines to identify changes after potential brain injuries. Anyone with a history of head trauma or concussion should discuss the necessity of cognitive screening with their physician.
The takeaway
The implementation of standardized neurocognitive monitoring underscores the value of longitudinal health tracking in identifying sub-clinical cognitive changes. Individuals concerned about the cumulative effects of past head injuries should consult with a specialist to review their cognitive history.
Further reading
For more information on the complexities of brain health and cognitive changes, visit our Alzheimer’s section.
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