[Application of LNNB in patients with closed brain injury]

Closed brain injury (CBI) has become epidemiological problem with important neuropsychological consequences that, although often not obvious without formal testing, are of great influence on cognitive and social functioning of these patients. We applied Luria Nebrasca Neuropsychological Battery (LNNB) to 24 victims of moderate and severe CVI after they regained proper orientation for time and place, and 75 to 180 days later. There were 18 male and 6 female patients, age from 16 to 55 years. The most impaired functions on first testing were rhythm perception, which can be taken as a measure of attention, memory, Intellectual processes, visual function and arithmetics (in the descending order of scores). On retesting we noted significant recovery in rhythm perception, visual functions, intellectual processes, motor functions, receptive speech and arithmetics. Disorders of attention and concentration showed widespread influence on other neuropsychological functions as a nonspecific factor, especially in spontaneous recovery that stresses the importance of specific rehabilitation measures for attention and concentration. LNNB showed great opportunities for assessment of wide spectrum of neuropsychological functions both in initial and later phases, and also in planning of cognitive and social rehabilitation.