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Updated: Mar 31, 2026
Development of an Uncomplicated Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Model Modified by Weight-Drop Method and Evidenced by Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: April 11, 2025
Longitudinal changes in mathematical abilities and white matter following paediatric mild traumatic brain injury
Leen Van Beek1, Jolijn Vanderauwera1,2, Pol Ghesquière1
1a Parenting and Special Education, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Leuven , Leuven , Belgium .
Insights
Children with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) showed recovery in math skills and white matter integrity. However, persistent working memory deficits may impact their school learning.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is linked to mathematical difficulties.
- The recovery and underlying white matter changes in mild TBI (mTBI) are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the recovery of mathematical abilities and white matter integrity in children with mTBI.
- To explore the pathophysiology, specifically white matter abnormalities, associated with these impairments.
Main Methods:
- A prospective longitudinal study tracked 20 children with mTBI and 20 controls from 1 to 6-8 months post-injury.
- Mathematics tests and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) of white matter pathways (corpus callosum, superior and longitudinal fasciculi) were used.
Main Results:
- Mathematical difficulties and corpus callosum (CC) white matter abnormalities resolved by 6-8 months post-injury.
- Children with mTBI exhibited persistent working memory deficits.
- CC maturation continued in controls but was limited in children with mTBI.
Conclusions:
- Children with mTBI demonstrated recovery in mathematical abilities and white matter integrity.
- Persistent working memory deficits in children with mTBI may hinder academic learning.
Primary Objective:
Paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been associated with acute and long-term mathematical difficulties. Little is known about the recovery of these impairments in children with mild TBI (mTBI) and their underlying pathophysiology, such as white matter abnormalities.
Research Design:
A prospective longitudinal study followed the recovery of mathematical abilities and white matter in children with mTBI from the sub-acute (1 month post-injury) to chronic stage (6-8 months post-injury) of recovery.
Methods And Procedures:
Twenty children with mTBI and 20 matched controls completed mathematics tests. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) metrics of white matter pathways corpus callosum (CC), superior and longitudinal fasciculi were examined with DTI-tractography.
Main Outcomes And Results:
Mathematical difficulties and white matter abnormalities in the CC observed shortly after the injury resolved after 6-8 months of recovery. Children with mTBI continued to show working memory deficits. Longitudinal DTI data suggest continued maturation of the CC in controls, but little maturation of the damaged CC in children with mTBI.
Conclusions:
Children with mTBI recovered in terms of mathematical abilities and white matter. These children continued to show working memory deficits, which might interfere with learning at school.
