A New Marine Study Points to the Biology of Resilience

Reviewed by Marc Ó Gríofa, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Neurova Labs

On September 15, researchers from UC San Diego and the VA in San Diego published a study in Molecular Psychiatry that adds an important piece to the resilience puzzle. UC San Diego's summary walks through the work.

The team analyzed blood samples and psychiatric assessments from 1,025 active-duty Marines before and after combat deployment. After a traumatic brain injury, Marines with higher natural levels of an antibody called anti-NMDAR1 had depression symptom scores about 25 percent lower, and PTSD symptom scores about 22 percent lower, than Marines with lower levels. The antibodies stayed in the bloodstream for more than a year, which points to a stable biological trait.

What is the biology of resilience?

The biology of resilience is the part of how a person holds up after hard experiences that may be measurable in blood, and it varies from person to person. We often talk about resilience as grit. This study is a reminder that biology matters too. Two Marines can go through the same deployment and come home with different outcomes.

The researchers are careful about what the finding means, and so are we. It is an association in one population, and it opens questions that will take years to answer. The direction is still worth noting. Brain health is moving toward a future where support is informed by each person's biology.

How does Neurova Labs measure biology?

Neurova Academy programs can add an optional 22-marker RNA panel that measures gene expression from whole blood, run through iXpressGenes, a CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratory. Neurova Labs shares the direction this study points to, and we measure biology in our own work.

In a 2026 Neurova Labs observational cohort of 103 members, measured on the 22-marker RNA panel at Day 1, Day 5, and Day 30, members who entered with the highest inflammatory burden showed the largest changes. Among the top 25 percent at Day 1 (26 members):

• The Global Inflammation Score, a 0 to 100 composite from the panel, fell from 52.4 at Day 1 to 30.3 at Day 5 and 27.0 at Day 30, a 48 percent reduction, with 23 of 26 improving.

• TNF-alpha was lower in all 26 by Day 30, and IL-6, IL-1 beta, CRP, CCL2, and IFN-gamma each fell 66 to 76 percent. Measured against 10 untreated controls and adjusted for starting level, the protocol group fared 12 points better on the Global Inflammation Score.

In our 2026 community cohort studies with the YMCA of Orange County, blood was drawn at Day 1, Day 5, and Day 30, alongside validated self-report tools. Participants reported a 28 percent improvement in trauma symptom scores on the PCL-5 and a 24 percent improvement in psychological distress on the Kessler-6.

A controlled validation study is underway, because claims in this field should be earned with data. Research like this from UC San Diego and the VA raises the standard for everyone, and we welcome it.

Where is brain training headed?

Brain training is headed toward meeting each person where they are, informed by how their brain and body respond, and that is our vision. Getting there will take research institutions, the VA, the services, and companies like ours pulling in the same direction. Neurova Labs is veteran founded and veteran led, and we built this company for the service members and first responders who carry the load.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.

To bring Neurova Academy to your unit, clinic, or community, visit neurovalabs.com.

About Neurova Labs

Neurova Labs is a veteran-led neurotechnology company based in Salt Lake City. Its program, Neurova Academy, is a facilitator-led neuro-immersive brain training program designed to support focus, stress regulation, and mental endurance, with no clinical infrastructure required. Programs can add an optional 22-marker panel measuring RNA gene expression from whole blood, processed by iXpressGenes, a CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratory. Neurova Labs works with military units, first responder agencies, clinics, and community organizations. Learn more at neurovalabs.com.

Neurova Academy is a general wellness and cognitive training program. It is not a medical device and is not offered to diagnose, treat, cure, or mitigate any disease or condition, including concussion, traumatic brain injury, or CTE. References to news reporting, government publications, and published research are for commentary only and do not imply endorsement of Neurova Labs by any federal entity or research institution.