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A computerized test battery sensitive to mild and severe brain injury.
C Thomas Gualtieri1, Lynda G Johnson
1Department of Neuropsychiatry, North Carolina Neuropsychiatry Clinics, Chapel Hill & Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. tgualtieri@ncneuropsych.com
Medscape Journal of Medicine
|May 28, 2008
Summary
Computerized neurocognitive testing (CNT) is reliable for assessing severe brain injuries, correlating with injury severity and recovery. These tests offer precise measurement for diagnosis and treatment when comprehensive evaluations are not feasible.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Computerized neurocognitive testing (CNT) is efficient for mild brain injury assessment.
- Its validity for severe brain injuries requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the reliability and validity of CNT in evaluating patients with severe brain injuries.
- To assess the correlation between CNT performance and TBI severity and recovery.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study compared 141 traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with 145 normal controls.
- The CNS Vital Signs (CNS VS) battery assessed memory, psychomotor speed, attention, and cognitive flexibility.
Main Results:
- CNT performance correlated with TBI severity and recovery.
- Patients with severe brain injuries scored significantly lower on the Neurocognition Index (NCI) than mild TBI patients and controls.
- Psychomotor speed and cognitive flexibility tests were most sensitive to TBI status.
Conclusions:
- CNT, such as the CNS VS battery, provides precise neurocognitive measurement for diagnosis and treatment.
- CNTs are valuable for screening and serial assessments, complementing conventional neuropsychological testing.
