Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
10:59
Investigations on Alterations of Hippocampal Circuit Function Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: November 19, 2012
Cognitive development after traumatic brain injury in young children
Aimee Gerrard-Morris1, H Gerry Taylor, Keith Owen Yeates
1Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 43205, USA.
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS
|October 24, 2009
Summary
Children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) show cognitive deficits, especially with severe injuries. A supportive family environment can improve cognitive outcomes in young children post-TBI.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neuropsychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Neurology
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in early childhood can significantly impact cognitive development.
- Understanding the long-term effects of TBI and the role of environmental factors is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine cognitive development in young children after traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- To investigate how the family environment influences cognitive outcomes in pediatric TBI survivors.
Main Methods:
- Recruited children aged 3-6 years with severe, moderate, or complicated mild TBI, and an orthopedic injury (OI) comparison group.
- Administered cognitive assessments at baseline and 6, 12, and 18 months post-injury.
- Assessed family environment through home learning support, stimulation, and parent-child interaction observations.
Main Results:
- Children with severe TBI exhibited generalized cognitive deficits compared to the OI group.
- Less severe TBI was associated with deficits in visual memory and executive function.
- More optimal family environments correlated with higher cognitive scores across all injury groups, despite persistent or emerging deficits.
Conclusions:
- Early childhood TBI is associated with persistent cognitive deficits, confirming previous research.
- The family environment plays a significant role in mediating cognitive outcomes for children with TBI.
- Interventions focusing on environmental support may enhance recovery in pediatric TBI survivors.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction
DefinitionTraumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a disturbance of normal brain function induced by an external mechanical force, such as a direct blow to the head or a penetrating injury. It can affect both brain structure and function, producing a wide range of clinical outcomes. TBI is a heterogeneous condition, meaning its effects may differ based on the type, location, and severity of the injury.Basis of ClassificationTBI is classified based on severity, injury mechanism, or pathophysiology. In...
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
01:30Information Processing Approach
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...
01:24Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
A revisionist approach to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development has brought new insights that challenge and reinterpret his established ideas. Piaget proposed that the formal operational stage, emerging in adolescence, represents the culmination of cognitive maturity. During this stage, individuals are said to develop abstract thinking, engage in systematic problem-solving, and show a form of egocentrism, believing others are as preoccupied with their behavior as they are themselves.
01:14Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development
The sensorimotor stage, the initial phase of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, spans the first two years of a child's life. During this period, infants actively engage with their surroundings, building cognitive awareness through direct interaction with the world. This interaction is primarily based on sensory perception and motor actions, allowing infants to gradually understand basic physical properties and predict how objects interact within their environment.
Exploration...
Exploration...