"Our findings suggest that the association and projection fibers interconnecting fronto-parieto-temporal region, for example, CCG/CAB, SLF, and UNC; and fronto-subcortical regions, for example, ATR, are particularly vulnerable to military-related blast injury, where the compromised circuits have significant effects on the functional outcome of chronic mTBI patients. Furthermore, high frequency of blast exposures may deflect negatively normal aging trajectories of white matter integrity. However, longitudinal study with follow-up scans is needed to validate these findings. Nevertheless,

"Results indicate that free art-making in this context significantly lowered negative affect and improved positive affect and self-efficacy. Improved affect was also moderately correlated with improved self-efficacy. There was no difference between groups based on prior experience with art-making, gender, age, or race/ethnicity. Content themes from the participants’ artwork were very diverse including references to nature, people, activities, memories, and abstract explorations of colors and shapes."

"In this paper we presented a case study of the ongoing process of healing for an active duty military service member with symptoms of chronic PTSD and mild TBI. Using multiple data sources we identified how the patient overcame resistance to treatment and used art therapy and acupuncture to externalize and manage recurring intrusive images and traumatic memories. In addition, the study highlights the applications of non-verbal therapies like art therapy to help patients who are unable to express themselves through traditional talk therapies, as well as the ways in which multiple

"Increased anticipatory responses to unpredictable threat in distinct vmPFC subregions were uniquely associated with elevated hyperarousal and re-experiencing symptoms in combat veterans. These results underscore the disruptive impact of uncertainty for veterans, and suggest that investigating individual differences in discrete aspects of PTSD may advance our understanding of underlying neurobiological mechanisms."

Part of the Americans for the Arts Artists & Communities conversation series that pairs veteran community arts leaders with emerging community arts leaders to share their visions for, experiences with, and challenges to making healthy, equitable, vibrant communities through arts and culture. As community-based work receives more recognition, and intersections and collaborations become stronger, these conversations illuminate just how artists and community arts leaders can work to sustain and maintain healthy communities through their practice.

"While the causes for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are not well known, people who have it experience a heightened perception of sound, and most have developed brains which are ideally suited to understanding and mastering the art of music. [This infographic shows] 10 surprising facts about how music affects people with ASD" (B&B Music Lessons, ASD + Music Infograpic).

This two page fact sheet produced for Arts Advocacy Day 2016 gives an overview of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), including items about its budget, value, and mission.

Individuals and communities that have been subject to protracted violent conflict seek ways to move out of a cycle of violence, toward healing and reconciliation. Affected people need tools to critically understand their context and to participate in creative problem solving, thus allowing them to move from victim to survivor, from violence to peacebuilding. Through this dissertation I examine the role of theatre as one form of creative expression and how it can contribute to the process of healing and reconciliation, leading to peacebuilding. [Abstract p. iv]

USA TODAY created this free special edition on Veteran Affairs in honor of Veteran's Day in 2015.

USA TODAY created this free special edition on Veteran Affairs in honor of Veteran's Day in 2015. The articles focused on meeting the needs or our veterans. Among the articles was a feature on how veteran's are using art thearpy as a way to heal from trauma.