Multiple Object Tracking Scores Predict Post-Concussion Status Years after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Melanie R Lysenko-Martin1, Craig P Hutton1, Taya Sparks1
1Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Journal of Neurotrauma
|January 18, 2020
Summary
Three-dimensional multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) shows promise for diagnosing post-concussion syndrome (PCS) in individuals with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). This cognitive test accurately identifies PCS, especially in older adults, aiding in diagnosis after injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sports Medicine
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Diagnosing concussion, a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is challenging, particularly when assessing patients months after the initial injury.
- Cognitive functions like tracking multiple moving objects in 3D space are affected by concussion.
- 3D multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) tests may detect post-concussion syndrome (PCS) by assessing these affected cognitive processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the sensitivity of 3D-MOT (using NeuroTracker™) in identifying PCS in a large, diverse age group.
- To correlate 3D-MOT performance with established concussion assessment tools, cognition, balance, and symptom severity.
Main Methods:
- Assessed 3D-MOT performance in 457 participants (ages 6-73) with varying concussion histories.
- Compared 3D-MOT scores with results from the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool for cognition, balance, and symptom severity.
- Utilized a decision tree model incorporating concussion history, age, and 3D-MOT scores to predict PCS.
Main Results:
- 3D-MOT performance was not impaired in individuals under 13 with a concussion history but correlated positively with cognition and balance.
- In participants aged 13 and older, 3D-MOT performance negatively correlated with concussion symptom severity and positively with cognition and balance.
- 3D-MOT scores were significantly impaired in individuals with probable PCS (pPCS), showing high diagnostic accuracy (95.2%) in a decision tree model.
Conclusions:
- 3D-MOT is a sensitive tool for diagnosing probable PCS, particularly in individuals aged 35 and older or younger individuals with lower 3D-MOT scores.
- The study highlights age-related differences in concussion symptom presentation and recovery.
- 3D-MOT demonstrates significant potential as a non-invasive diagnostic aid for PCS following mild traumatic brain injury.
