Citation

Moran LM, Babikian T, Del Piero L, Ellis MU, Kernan CL, Newman N, Giza CC, Mink R, Johnson J, Babbitt CJ, Asarnow R. J. Int. Neuropsychol. Soc. 2016; 22(5): 512-519.

Affiliation

1Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Health,University of California,Los Angeles,California.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/S1355617716000175

PMID

27019212

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Following pediatric moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (msTBI), few predictors have been identified that can reliably identify which individuals are at risk for long-term cognitive difficulties. This study sought to determine the relative contribution of detailed descriptors of injury severity as well as demographic and psychosocial factors to long-term cognitive outcomes after pediatric msTBI.

METHODS: Participants included 8- to 19-year-olds, 46 with msTBI and 53 uninjured healthy controls (HC). Assessments were conducted in the post-acute and chronic stages of recovery. Medical record review provided details regarding acute injury severity. Parents also completed a measure of premorbid functioning and behavioral problems. The outcome of interest was four neurocognitive measures sensitive to msTBI combined to create an index of cognitive performance.

RESULTS: Results indicated that none of the detailed descriptors of acute injury severity predicted cognitive performance. Only the occurrence of injury, parental education, and premorbid academic competence predicted post-acute cognitive functioning. Long-term cognitive outcomes were best predicted by post-acute cognitive functioning.

DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that premorbid factors influence cognitive outcomes nearly as much as the occurrence of a msTBI. Furthermore, of youth with msTBI who initially recover to a level of moderate disability or better, a brief cognitive battery administered within several months after injury can best predict which individuals will experience poor long-term cognitive outcomes and require additional services. (JINS, 2016, 22, 1-8).

Language: en