Is diffuse axonal injury on susceptibility weighted imaging a biomarker for executive functioning in adolescents with traumatic brain injury?

Is diffuse axonal injury on susceptibility weighted imaging a biomarker for executive functioning in adolescents with traumatic brain injury? Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2019 Apr 16;: Authors: Catharine VL, Helena V, Eva G, Ellen D, Karen C, Guy V, Karel D Abstract Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a heterogeneous disorder in which diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is an important component contributing to executive dysfunction. During adolescence, developing brain networks are especially vulnerable to acceleration-deceleration forces. We aimed to examine the correlation between DAI (number and localization) and executive functioning in adolescents with TBI. We recruited 18 adolescents with a mean age of 15y8m (SD = 1y7m), averaging 2.5 years after sustaining a moderate-to-severe TBI with documented DAI. Susceptibility Weighted Imaging sequence was administered to localize the DAI lesions. The adolescents performed a neurocognitive test-battery, addressing different aspects of executive functioning (working memory, attention, processing speed, planning ability) and their parents completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) - questionnaire. Executive performance of the TBI-group was compared with an age and gender matched control group of typically developing peers. Based on these results we focused on the Stockings of Cambridge test and the BRIEF to correlate with the total number and location of DAI. Results revealed t...
Source: European Journal of Paediatric Neurology - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Eur J Paediatr Neurol Source Type: research