Memory deficits in mild traumatic brain injury

• 出 处: 中华物理医学与康复杂志
• 发表日期: 2017年39期

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The detrimental consequences of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are becoming more apparent in a number of different cognitive domains. This study reviewed the long-term effects of mTBI one year or more post-injury.

METHODS

Undergraduate students were recruited from psychology classes at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, with older adults recruited from the Waterloo Research in Aging Participant Pool (WRAP). Of the 39 students recruited 20 reported a remote mTBI, and of the 42 older adults recruited, 20 reported a mTBI. Those with and those without remote mTBI were compared by performance on a series of neuropsychological tests.

RESULTS

As the mean intervening time since mTBI in the older adults was 38 years, the analysis was completed first with both groups combined, and then with only the younger group. Within the older group, no significant differences were observed based on mTBI status. In the younger group, those with a history of mTBI performed more poorly than did those without mTBI on free recall (P<0.05), as well as when recounting autobiographical memories (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

This study of individuals with remote mTBI suggests that these individuals, despite having otherwise normal cognitive test results, may have a specific pattern of cognitive deficits characterized by a decreased ability in free recall and reduced episodic detail when recounting autobiographical memories.