Cognitive recovery after severe traumatic brain injury in children/adolescents and adults: Similar positive outcome but different underlying pathways?. (June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tavano, Alessandro; Galbiati, Susanna; Recla, Monica; Bardoni, Alessandra; Dominici, Chiara; Pastore, Valentina; Strazzer, Sandra
• Is Part Of: Brain injury. Volume 28:Number 7(2014)
• Page Start: 900
• Page End: 905
• Publication Date: 2014-06
• Subjects: Brain damage -- Periodicals; Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Brain Injuries -- Periodicals; 617.481
• DOI: 10.3109/02699052.2014.890742
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9052

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Primary objective</italic>: Does younger age at the time of severe traumatic brain injury (STBI) protect from cognitive symptoms? To answer this question, the authors compared the neuropsychological profile of late school-age children/adolescents and young adult patients at mid- and long-term recovery periods (6 and 12 months post-STBI).</p> <p> <italic>Methods and procedures</italic>: Twenty-eight children/adolescents and 26 clinically matched adults were tested on measures of general intelligence, attention, executive functions, visuoperceptual, visuospatial and visuoconstructive abilities. Coma duration and the post-acute Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score were used as predictor variables in a series of regression analyses.</p> <p> <italic>Main outcomes and results</italic>: Children/adolescents and adults similarly improved on most measures, except for visuospatial and visuoconstructive skills, which worsened in time for children/adolescents. Coma duration significantly predicted performance IQ and visuoperceptual scores in children/adolescents. The GOS score significantly predicted performance and verbal IQ, sustained attention, visuoconstructive and long-term memory skills. Coma duration predicted executive function skills in both age groups.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusions</italic>: (1) No evidence was found for a neuroprotective effect of younger age at STBI; and (2) Coma duration and GOS score predicted neuropsychological recovery in children/adolescents and adults, respectively. This suggests the existence of underlying age-specific recovery processes after STBI.</p> </abstract>