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Investigations on Alterations of Hippocampal Circuit Function Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: November 19, 2012
Persistent symptoms in mild to moderate traumatic brain injury associated with executive dysfunction
Kaisa M Hartikainen1, Minna Waljas, Tuulia Isoviita
1Department of Neurology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland. kaisa.hartikainen@pshp.fi
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
|March 4, 2010
Summary
Persistent symptoms after mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) may stem from disrupted executive function networks. An experimental Executive RT-Test can help detect this subtle cognitive dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause persistent cognitive symptoms.
- The etiology and detection of subtle cognitive dysfunction post-TBI require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To improve the detection of subtle cognitive dysfunction after mild-to-moderate TBI.
- To explore the underlying causes of persistent symptoms following TBI.
- To evaluate the utility of an experimental Executive Reaction Time (RT) Test.
Main Methods:
- Employed an experimental Executive RT-Test.
- Utilized standardized neuropsychological tests to derive an Executive Composite Score.
- Applied diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess brain microstructure.
Main Results:
- The Executive RT-Test, Executive Composite Score, and midbrain DTI-indices distinguished between patients with persistent symptoms and those fully recovered after TBI.
- Findings suggest disrupted fronto-striatal networks in patients with persistent TBI symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Persistent symptoms in mild-to-moderate TBI may be linked to impaired fronto-striatal network function.
- The Executive RT-Test offers a novel and objective method for detecting executive dysfunction post-TBI.
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