Investigative journalist Catherine Herridge and Dr. James Giordano discussed the evolving nature of directed energy weapons and the injuries reported by survivors, with Giordano describing evidence that the targeting pattern may be shifting toward parts of the nervous system responsible for controlling essential bodily functions.

Herridge said her reporting with survivors has revealed multiple types of injuries rather than a single symptom.

"One of the things that strikes me in my reporting with survivors of these attacks is that they have sort of a constellation of injuries," Herridge said.

"There's some signature injuries, like to the inner ear, you know, to balance, but you were telling me we're starting to see more what they call autonomic nervous system injuries. These are the automatic systems, like breathing, your heart. Explain that further."

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Giordano said the apparent targeting vector may be changing from areas associated primarily with cognitive functions to lower regions involving the brainstem and spinal cord.

"What seems to be happening is that the targeting vector may be changing," Giordano said.

"Instead of going directly into the upper parts of the brain, which affect cognitive mechanisms, they're working a little lower in this junction between the brain, brainstem, and the spinal cord."

Giordano said areas at the base of the skull may be particularly vulnerable and described how energy could potentially be directed toward that region.

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"Now if I were going to design something like this, this creates what's called an ideal targeting solution," Giordano said.

"It actually funnels the energy up and into the base of the skull, and at the base of the skull is where you really see these mechanisms that control heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, metabolism, gastrointestinal function, and we're seeing a lot more of that constellation of signs and symptoms in these individuals who've been affected."

Herridge asked whether those observations suggest the technology is being refocused toward autonomic systems.

"It may very well be that what we're seeing is a different not only pattern, but a different intent, not necessarily just disrupting the cognitive effects, but also the actual bodily effects," Giordano said.

"Many of those cognitive effects can be latent, but these effects on the autonomic system are very acute and very debilitating."

The discussion then turned to measures that could potentially reduce the effects of such incidents. Herridge asked what could be done to block or blunt an attack.

Giordano described an approach built around three areas: detection, prevention and continuing defense.

"Well, it's a good question. I mean, at this point, one of the the primary stances that's being used against this is a threefold stance: detection, prevention, and then ongoing defense," Giordano said.

He said those measures include identifying what is occurring and where, considering architectural, geometric and personal factors, and developing both passive and active methods of prevention. Giordano emphasized that evaluating an affected person quickly is also important.

"Early intervention is going to be essential in being able to mitigate the cascade of signs and symptoms that can be so debilitating," Giordano said.

Herridge said survivors she has spoken with have reported sharply different experiences with medical treatment.

Some received immediate blood testing and evaluations that identified evidence of brain injury, while others waited six to eight months before receiving treatment.

Asked how much that delay could affect the outcome, Giordano responded, "Profound, because many of these injuries can, in fact, be cascading injuries, where you see the initially acute effect, that then is amplified as a consequence of changing the physiology, changing perhaps the microanatomy, inducing inflammation, and this just becomes far more snowball effect."

Giordano said quickly identifying and treating injuries can therefore play an important role in limiting longer-term consequences.

"Early detection, early diagnosis, early intervention, rehabilitation seems to be key," Giordano said.

Herridge concluded by asking whether directed energy weapons represent the type of warfare the current and coming generations could face.

"This is the warfare of of this generation and the next generation, is that fair?" Herridge asked.

"We've said that realistically, these types of things are of the next generation of future warfare," Giordano responded.

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