Research and education for the
treatment of traumatic brain injury
Clinical Research and Education Foundation (CNS-CREF)
Projects Prediction of Outcome Following Traumatic Brain injury [status: final phase of editing and publication submission]
--------------- Lasting Wake/Sleep Disturbances in Traumatic Brain Injury Joint research with UCLA Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is relatively widespread among young adults following driving and sports-related accidents. Mood depression, fatigue, sleepiness, concentration difficulties, generalized anxiety, and vegetative or somatic symptoms arise within the first year post-TBI. Depression and other post-concussion symptoms can persist for months to years post-TBI, and may eventually become a permanent symptomatology that causes significant and costly disability (Dikmen & al, 2004; Ryan & Warden, 2003). Serious alterations in neurobehavioral processes (e.g., sleep phases, circadian rhythms) are common in animal experimental preclinical models, and in human clinical studies of patients with TBI (Frieboes et al, 1999), however, whether they are sustained in the long-term is not known. [status: research in progress] --------------- The Effects of Varying Intensity Levels of Physical Activity on the Cognitive, Emotional, and Disability Status of the Traumatically Brain-Injured Adult Improvements in the quality of life, strength and endurance, cognitition, and emotional status are a few of the attributes associated with becoming physically fit. It is common for the traumatically brain-injured (TBI) patient to suffer deficits in these areas as part of the complex neurobehavioral sequelae of his/her injury. A pilot retrospective analysis of 25 patients indicated that the group which participated in an aerobic conditioning program made statistically significant improvements (p<.05) on rated disability status, at admission and discharge, when compared to a group of patients who did not participate in aerobic conditioning. Data from a follow-up experimental study of 23 patients showed statistically significant changes in multiple cognitive and emotional status scores when analyzed before and after physical activity (Digit Span, Beck Depression Inventory, and the Suicide Probability Scale, p<.05). Possible behavioral and physiological explanations for the results, and the potential of varying intensities of physical activity to act as a catalyst for positive changes in the cognitive and emotional status of the TBI patient are discussed. [status: research complete and in writing phase] --------------- Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury on Marital Status Previous studies have demonstrated the consequences of traumatic brain injury and its impact on the family. However, the effects of brain injury on long-term marital conditions have not been as thoroughly investigated. This study surveyed 298 adults who had completed post-acute brain injury rehabilitation as to current marital status. The mean latency from discharge to survey was 5 years. Descriptive and correlational statistical analysis was conducted on marital status, demographic data, and disability ratings. Results indicated that 46% of the subjects had divorced since the injury. Divorce since injury was significantly correlated with age, latency from discharge, latency from injury, length of rehabilitation, gender, and vocational status. Current marital status did not correlate with any disability ratings. The influence of these factors on marital status after traumatic brain injury will be discussed. [status: research in progress] --------------- Behavior Survey [status: survey complete and in data collection phase] --------------- Diffusion Tensor MRI [status: research in planning phase] --------------- fMRI [status: research in planning phase] |
