neurotrauma can occur due to the mechanisms of one or more blast injury categories. bleeding from injured organs such as lungs or bowel causes a lack of oxygen in all vital organs, including the brain. damage of the lungs reduces the surface for oxygen uptake from the air, reducing the amount of the oxygen delivered to the brain. tissue destruction initiates the synthesis and release of hormones or mediators into the blood which, when delivered to the brain, change its function. irritation of the nerve endings in injured peripheral tissue and/or organs also significantly contributes to blast-induced neurotrauma.