Neuropsychological dysfunction in severe accidental electrical shock: two case reports

There has been a relative absence of studies that have longitudinally examined the neuropsychological profiles of women who have sustained severe accidental electrical shocks. A case is reported of a college-educated woman who received an estimated 120-V electrical shock. Neuropsychological assessments conducted at 2 months, and at 1 and 2 years postinjury, revealed a diversity of deficits indicative of diffuse, mild to moderate neurocognitive dysfunction, as well as symptomatology consistent with depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. For comparison, a second case of a man who received a 69,000-Velectrical injury is also presented. Although only minimal neurocognitive deficits were observed in this individual, he exhibited a similar psychological profile. The results of this study are discussed in light of the contrasting neurocognitive findings but consistent psychological presentations across the two cases.