A mild traumatic brain injury can be frustrating. Patients often look normal but can suffer from a wide range of symptoms, like headaches, fatigue, irritability and memory loss.

Concussion blasts from roadside bombs have made mTBI the signature injury of the Iraq war. And officials at Madigan Army Medical Center at Fort Lewis unveiled two new techniques to help patients deal with the injuries: a memory enhancement program and the DigiPen, which digitally records hand movements during tests.

“We want to use as many tools as we have available to help our patients,” said Col. Ronald Place, who runs Madigan’s daily operations.

Last year, the Army launched programs to help mTBI sufferers and their families. At Fort Lewis, soldiers returning from combat zones are required to complete questionnaires to help identify the condition. Incoming company commanders and first sergeants attend courses about observing the symptoms of mTBI and post-traumatic stress disorder and getting help for their soldiers. Two wings at the old Madigan site are being renovated to house the hospital’s mTBI program and should open next summer.

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The 81st Brigade Combat Team arrived for its first deployment to Iraq in early 2004 at a crucial time: Much of the country was wrecked after the U.S. invasion and the insurgency was gaining strength.

The brigade of 2,400 Washington National Guardsmen returned to Iraq for its second combat tour last last month, and its commander said he sees a big improvement compared to last time.

“There is no comparison between Iraq in 2004 and what it is today,” Col. Ronald Kapral told The News Tribune today during a phone interview from his office at Camp Ramadi, in Anbar province west of Baghdad.

“I’ve been outside the base numerous times,” said Kapral, who lives in Graham when back home in Pierce County. “I’ve seen a definite improvement in Iraqi police. I’ve dealt with an Iraqi general about security and about integration of the Iraqi army.”

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