Citation

Tavano A, Galbiati S, Recla M, Bardoni A, Dominici C, Pastore V, Strazzer S. Brain Inj. 2014; 28(7): 900-905.

Affiliation

Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit, 'Eugenio Medea' Scientific Institute , Bosisio Parini (LC) , Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/02699052.2014.890742

PMID

24655151

Abstract

Primary objective: 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).

METHODS and procedures: 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. Main outcomes and results: 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.

CONCLUSIONS: (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.

Language: en