Brain Injury

BACKGROUND: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can cause persistent symptoms suggestive of oculomotor deficits. This research synthesized evidence on restitutive interventions for reducing oculomotor deficits in adults with mTBI to understand if these interventions have clinical utility for improving recovery. METHODS: Medline, EMBASE, CINHAL, PsychInfo, and Scopus, databases were searched for experimental studies published in English. We rated risk of bias (RoB) using recommended tools, and the certainty of the evidence according to GRADE guidelines...

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of ghrelin on oxidative stress, working memory, inflammatory parameters, and neuron degeneration. METHODS: TBI was produced with the weight-drop technique. Rats in the G+TBI and TBI+G groups received ghrelin for 7 days. The control group received saline. On the 8th day of the study, the brain and blood tissue were taken under anesthesia. RESULTS: A significant increase in brain GSH-PX, MDA, IL-1β, TGF-β1, and IL-8 levels and a significant decrease in CAT levels were found in the TBI group compared to the control...

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Heart rate variability (HRV) is a biomarker of autonomic nervous system (ANS) reaction in persons with severe acquired brain injury (sABI) who undergo a rehabilitation treatment, such as focal muscle vibration (FMV).This study aims to evaluate if and how FMV can modulate HRV and to compare potential differences in FMV modulation in HRV between patients with sABI and healthy controls. METHODS: Ten patients with sABI and seven healthy controls have been recruited...

BACKGROUND: This experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of 20% Intralipid Emulsion (ILE) treatment on Cerebral Ischemia Reperfusion Injury (CIRI) after reperfusion in acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: In this experimental study, seven rats without any intervention (control group), seven rats (sham group) for which CIRI was created after the common carotid artery was ligated for 2 hours, and seven rats who were treated with 20% ILE after CIRI (CIRI + ILE group) were sacrificed after 24 hours, and histopathological findings were investigated...

This Preface overviews a four-part opinion series on the role of tradtional neuropsychological tests in evaluating mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), juxtaposed to all of the progress that has occurred with advanced neuroimaging and allied technologies. The four areas of review and critique are: I. Neuropathology; II: Limitations in Test Development, Statistical and Psychometric Issues; III. Implications of Advanced Neuroimaging Findings inn the Neuropsychological Assessment of the mTBI Patient, and IV: Clinical Applications and Future Directions...

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cognitive learning potential measured with the dynamic Wisconsin Card Sorting Test has added value in predicting rehabilitation outcome in elderly patients post-stroke after controlling for age, ADL independence at admission, global cognitive functioning and depressive symptoms. METHODS: Participants were patients with stroke admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation unit. ADL independence (Barthel Index) at discharge was used as measure for rehabilitation outcome...

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to conduct a scoping review to determine the nature, variety, and volume of empirical evidence on nonpharmacological interventions for sleep disturbances with potential implications for fatigue in adults sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted across four databases to identify primary studies testing a single non-pharmacological intervention or a combination of non-pharmacological interventions for sleep disturbances and fatigue in community-dwelling adults with TBI...

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest an association between Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) and depression, both highly prevalent after mTBI. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and risk-factors of depression among patients with PCS 1 month after mTBI. METHODS: We prospectively screened 372 mTBI patients admitted in two academic Emergency Departments between 2017 and 2019. One month after mTBI, we administered the Rivermead Post-concussion symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) questionnaires over the telephone...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate reported burden by the Primary Family Caregiver (PFC) 7-years after severe pediatric traumatic brain injury in the TGE (Traumatisme Grave de l'Enfant) longitudinal study. METHODS: Subjective burden was estimated with the Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI) in 36 PFC (parents), who rated their own health status (Medical Outcome Study Short Form-12), family functioning and their child's level of care and needs (Pediatric/Adult Care And Needs Scale [PCANS/CANS])...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess changes in concussion knowledge and attitudes amongst incoming intercollegiate student-athletes over the course of a decade (2010-2012 vs 2021-2023). METHODS: There were 592 student-athletes from 2 cohorts (2010-2012, 2021-2023) who completed the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey (ROCKaS) questionnaire which is comprised of a concussion knowledge index (CKI, 0-24) and attitude index (CAI, 15-75) with higher scores reflecting better performance...

OBJECTIVE: To describe the safety, feasibility, and tolerability of overground exoskeleton gait training (OEGT) integrated into clinical practice for patients after severe acquired brain injury (ABI). SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Eligible patients with severe ABI met the following criteria: age > 18, medically stable, met exoskeleton frame limitations, and a score of ≤ 3 on the motor function portion of the Coma Recovery Scale - Revised (CRS-R)...

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to assess the potential influence of a diagnosis of ADHD on concussion recovery among collegiate athletes. DESIGN: Retrospective and cross-sectional. METHODS: Data were extracted retrospectively from medical records across LIMBIC MATARS member institutions ( n  = 11), representing 1,044 concussion cases among collegiate athletes. After exclusions, 406 concussions were included in our analysis (ADHD: n  = 38, age = 20...

OBJECTIVE: To explore longer-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and participation outcomes and goals of children and young people (CYP) with acquired brain injuries (ABI) and their families in a region of the UK and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of (5-18 CYP) and their parent-carers 12-43 months following ABI. Included measures of HRQoL, participation, family function and parental wellbeing and demographic and free text questions...

OBJECTIVE: This investigation sought to examine the perceptions of individuals with mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injury (TBIs) toward healthcare providers across rehabilitation contexts (acute, rehabilitation, and chronic). METHODS: The mCARE-TBI survey was distributed via Qualtrics throughout the US and Canada. Sixty-four survey responses met criteria for analysis. Participants were ≥18 years old, one-year post onset, reported no unrelated neurological deficits prior to the single TBI, and reported no prior diagnosed psychiatric disorders...

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between academic adjustments and recovery from sport-related concussions (SRCs) in collegiate athletes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective medical chart review was performed between the 2015-2016 and 2019-2020 sport seasons at 11 Long-term Impact of Military-relevant Brain Injury Consortium Military and Tactical Athlete Research Study (LIMBIC MATARS) sites. Days between injury and symptom resolution, and injury and return to sport (dependent variables) for collegiate athletes who did or did not receive academic adjustments (independent variable) were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U tests...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the associations of international student status and native language on time (in days) with the date of injury to (i) diagnosis, (ii) symptom resolution, and (iii) return to sport. METHODS: Utilizing data from a cross-sectional cohort of 1,044 concussion cases from LIMBIC MATARS member institutions ( n  = 11) in the US, we conducted two, matched case-control designs. Cases were divided into two groups: (i) international ( n  = 32) or domestic students ( n  = 32) and (ii) English as an Additional Language (EAL) speakers ( n  = 18) or Native English language speakers ( n  = 18)...

OBJECTIVE: While recovery from concussion is variable, women are more likely to report symptoms, experience worse outcomes, and have longer recovery trajectories following concussion than men. Preliminary data suggest that hormonal fluctuations, specifically progesterone, may be associated with this variability. This study aimed to understand the effect of contraceptive medication on concussion recovery. METHODS: A retrospective chart review using consensus-based common data elements was conducted at 11 NCAA institutions as part of the LIMBIC MATARS consortium...

PURPOSE: Sunken Skin Flap Syndrome (SSFS) is an uncommon, delayed complication after craniectomy characterized by a functional plateau or decline with variable neurologic symptoms, improving after cranioplasty. SSFS negatively impacts the rehabilitation course, with subjective reports of functional improvement after cranioplasty. However, no studies have assessed the impact of cranioplasty on functional recovery rate. This case series aims to analyze SSFS manifestations and management while awaiting cranioplasty...

PURPOSE: Consistent with association between photophobia and headache, growing evidence suggests an underlying causal relationship between light sensitivity and central pain. We investigated whether an intervention to regulate light sensitivity by filtering only wavelengths causing difficulties for the specific individual could alleviate headaches/migraines resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: Secondary data analysis of a clinical database including N  = 392 military personnel (97% men, 3% women), ranging in age from 20 to 51 years, diagnosed with TBI, persistent headaches/migraines, and light sensitivity...

OBJECTIVE: To identify the contextual factors related to financial capability and financial well-being for adults living with acquired brain injury (ABI). DESIGN & METHOD: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using photovoice and included 17 adults who live with ABI in Manitoba, Canada. Over 3-to-5 weeks, participants took photos of their financial capability (i.e. knowledge, skills, and behaviors related to managing finances) or their financial well-being (i...