Neurobiology and neuropathology underlie the neuropsychological deficits associated with traumatic brain injury

Abstract

The neurobiological and neuropathological bases that underlie the neuropsychological deficits associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI), including mild TBI, are further reviewed. The article provides an update on neuroimaging methods and findings in the study of TBI since the author's published address of the 1999 Distinguished Neuropsychologist Award of the National Academy of Neuropsychology (see Bigler, 2001a). The review addresses and answers criticisms raised about the interface of neuroimaging abnormalities and neuropsychological deficits, particularly in mild TBI. The article provides further guidelines in making the link between neuroimaging findings and neuropsychological outcome in the clinical practice of neuropsychology. The article also opines on the future role and importance that neuroimaging will play in neuropsychological practice, particularly functional neuroimaging methods.

Diffusion Tensor Imaging Parameters in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Its Correlation with Early Neuropsychological Impairment: A Longitudinal Study

“… 60 Taken together, our findings further strengthen evidence for physiogenic influences on the prolonged functional and neuropsychological sequelae in patients with mTBI. 61 Clearly, disruption of the connectomes (i.e., the connectivities between specific cortical and subcortical structures) by various neuropathological 62 , 63 events post-trauma and the recovery process over time requires further study.…”

Fusiform Correlates of Facial Memory in Autism

“…Autism and TDC participants were recruited predominantly from community sources, including parent support groups, youth groups, and schools, and from clinic social skills groups, as described by Bigler et al [75] and Alexander et al [76]. The subjects in this study are a subset of participants in a longitudinal investigation of late brain development from three years of age through early adulthood.…”

Cognitive Sequelae of Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury: Recovery and Rehabilitation

“…Thus, TBI patients with chronic pain can be expected to perform worse on cognitive tasks. It has been suggested that the combination of pain and head injury may cause additive disruption of cognitive-emotional regulation centers in the brain (Bigler 2003). Further, a number of studies have identified persistent pain as a significant predictor of poor outcome following mTBI (Ettlin et al 1992; Mooney et al 2005).…”