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Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: January 20, 2023
Applicability of neural reserve theory in mild traumatic brain injury
Katie S Dawson1, Jennifer Batchelor, Susanne Meares
1Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
Objective:
The aim of the current study was to examine whether neural reserve influenced the duration of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) following mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI).
Method:
The relationship between duration of PTA and both IQ and education was examined in a group of 59 MTBI patients. In addition, the effects of factors that could potentially diminish neural reserve, namely pre-injury hazardous alcohol consumption, pre-injury marijuana use, previous neurological damage, age and post-injury emotional distress on PTA duration were analysed.
Results:
Significant, negative associations between PTA duration and both IQ and education were revealed. None of the other variables that were examined were significantly related to PTA duration.
Conclusion:
The findings were interpreted as providing preliminary evidence to suggest that reference to neural reserve may help explain between-subject variability in acute response to MTBI.
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