Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Detection: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can produce temporary biochemical imbalance due to leaks through cell membranes or disruption of the axoplasmic flow due to the misalignment of intracellular neurofilaments. If untreated, TBI can lead to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or total disability. Mild TBI (mTBI) accounts for about about 90 percent of all TBI cases. The detection of TBI as soon as it happens is crucial for successful treatment management. Neuroimaging-based tests provide only a structural and functional mapping of the brain with poor temporal resolution. Such tests may not detect mTBI. On the other hand, the electroencephalogram (EEG) provides good spatial resolution and excellent temporal resolution of the brain activities beside its portability and low cost. The objective of this paper is to provide clinicians and scientists with a one-stop source of information to quickly learn about the different technologies used for TBI detection, their advantages and limitations. Our research led us to conclude that even though EEG-based TBI detection is potentially a powerful technology, it is currently not able to detect the presence of a mTBI with high confidence. The focus of the paper is to review existing approaches and provide the reason for the unsuccessful state of EEG-based detection of mTBI.

Effects of Virtual Reality Cognitive Training on Neuroplasticity: A Quasi-Randomized Clinical Trial in Patients with Stroke

“…The findings revealed a significant increase in both alpha and beta bands in the experimental group following the intervention, suggesting that VRT had a positive impact on neural oscillatory activity, especially in the right hemisphere (which was the focus of the present study). The observed increase in alpha and beta bands aligns with previous research, demonstrating the neuroplasticity-inducing effects of VR-based interventions on brain activity [54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61]. The ability of VRT to engage and challenge the neural networks involved in cognitive processes may account for the observed changes in neural oscillations [62].…”

Decompressive Craniectomy in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: The Intensivist’s Point of View

“…Decompressive craniectomy is still today a life-saving surgery that is indicated in different situations, especially in patients with TBI [ 42 , 43 ]. Conflicting data about acute and late complications on the impact on quality of life demonstrate the need for further randomized clinical trials.…”

Traumatic Brain Injury in Patients under Anticoagulant Therapy: Review of Management in Emergency Department

“…In mTBI, ML can assist in the screening of patients for whom a head CT scan should be recommended [143]. For example, the quantitative interpretations of electroencephalography signal (qEEG)-based techniques appear promising in detecting mTBI cases [142,143]. However, patients on OAT have always been excluded from these studies so far.…”