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Cortical thickness in pediatric mild traumatic brain injury including sports-related concussion

Erin D Bigler1, Chris Finuf1, Tracy J Abildskov2

  • 1Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America; Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America.

International Journal of Psychophysiology : Official Journal of the International Organization of Psychophysiology
|July 25, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in children did not show significant differences in cortical thickness compared to orthopedic injuries. However, falls were linked to reduced thickness in specific brain regions with increased reported symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatric Traumatology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is common in children, with potential long-term neurological effects.
  • Understanding structural brain changes post-mTBI is crucial for diagnosis and management.
  • Cortical thickness is a sensitive neuroimaging marker for brain development and injury.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate differences in cortical thickness between children with mTBI and orthopedic injury (OI).
  • To examine the relationship between cortical thickness and parental symptom reporting post-injury.
  • To explore the influence of injury mechanism on cortical thickness in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • 330 children (8-15 years) with mTBI or OI underwent MRI at 6 months post-injury.
  • FreeSurfer® software was used for cortical thickness analysis.
  • Parent-rated Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory (PCSI) was administered.

Main Results:

  • No significant group differences in cortical thickness were found between mTBI and OI groups.
  • Age-related reductions in cortical thickness were observed.
  • In the fall injury group, increased PCSI symptom scores correlated with reduced cortical thickness in left frontal/temporal and right temporal regions.

Conclusions:

  • Cortical thickness differences were not consistently detected between pediatric mTBI and OI groups at 6 months post-injury.
  • Specific brain regions showed reduced cortical thickness associated with symptom reporting in children who sustained falls.
  • Further research is needed to understand injury variables and developmental factors in pediatric mTBI.

Keywords:
Brain developmentConcussionCortical thicknessFree-surferMild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)Post-concussion symptoms

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