NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

GE, U.S. Army Join Forces to Assist Returning Soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan

The incidence of TBI and PTSD has risen over time as more soldiers have been deployed, and in some cases, redeployed to combat zones. With the increasing use of improvised explosive devices (IED), it is estimated that as many as 20% to 30% of returning soldiers will experience the symptoms of TBI. GE researchers will be employing advanced analytics to identify key symptoms of these disorders, which are still very difficult to measure and quantify. The hope is that new information gathered will enable earlier detection, intervention and treatment of soldiers.

"With the incidence of TBI and PTSD rising among returning soldiers, more needs to be done to enhance our understanding and treatment of these disorders," said Dan Cleary, Principal Investigator, Computing and Decision Sciences, GE Global Research. "Through this study, we will be using GE informatics technologies to learn more about the symptoms of TBI and PTSD and help the U.S. Army better assess and help affected soldiers recover."

GE researchers will use passive activity sensors to study the sleep quality, rest and activity cycles and brain activity of wounded soldiers. They will then measure, analyze and correlate the data gathered with the symptoms of TBI and PTSD to help the military better assess and validate the physical, behavioral, and occupational symptoms of these disorders. A key goal of the program is to establish a clinical relationship between activity and sleep and the severity of symptoms.

The project will use both existing and future-generation GE QuietCare technologies for the care of seniors. QuietCare uses advanced, unobtrusive motion sensor technology and powerful analytical software to learn the daily living patterns of senior community residents, sending alerts when certain out-of-the-ordinary events occur. QuietCare is a validated healthymagination product under GE's initiative to reduce cost, increase access and improve quality in healthcare.

GE currently employs more than 10,000 U.S. Veterans and works to recruit more by guaranteeing healthcare benefits for families while the employee is deployed; offering salary differential support for families of deployed employees; and creating a GE leadership program tailored specifically for military service members.

For more information on GE's military support visit http://www.ge.com/military.

About GE Global Research

GE Global Research is the hub of technology development for all of GE's businesses. Our scientists and engineers redefine what's possible, drive growth for our businesses and find answers to some of the world's toughest problems.

We innovate 24 hours a day, with sites in Niskayuna, New York; Bangalore, India; Shanghai, China; and Munich, Germany. Visit GE Global Research on the web at www.ge.com/research. Connect with our technologists at http://edisonsdesk.com and twitter.com/edisonsdesk.

About TATRC:

The Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) performs medical reconnaissance and special operations to address critical gaps that are underrepresented in DoD medical research programs. TATRC is an office of the headquarters of the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC). TATRC fosters research on health informatics, telemedicine/m-Health, medical training systems, and computational biology, and promotes and manages science and engineering in other key portfolios. Through an extensive network of partners, TATRC is focused at both ends of the research spectrum, exploring models of high risk and innovative research, and putting research findings into the hands of warfighters while looking toward wider civilian utility. TATRC augments core medical research programs through special funding and partnership opportunities. For more information about TATRC and its' initiatives, please visit: www.tatrc.org.

**"This research and development project is being conducted by GE Global Research and is made possible by a U.S. Congressional research award, administered by the U.S. Army Medical Research & Materiel Command (USAMRMC) and the Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC), under Contract Number: #W81XXWH-09-2-0130.

"The views, opinions and findings contained in this research are those of the company and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Defense and should not be construed as an official DoD/Army policy unless so designated by other documentation. No official endorsement should be made."

GE
Media:
Todd Alhart, 518-387-7914
todd.alhart@ge.com
http://twitter.com/ToddAlhart