Cortical Excitability after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Children

Introduction: Mild traumatic brain injury is frequently complicated by post-concussive syndrome. It is unknown why these symptoms persist, but recent research suggests that cortical excitability may play a role. Objectives: To determine if cortical excitability is different in pediatric mTBI, and if it correlates with symptom persistence. Methods:This was a cross-sectional controlled cohort study. Cortical excitability was measured using a variety of TMS paradigms in children with (symptomatic) and without (asymptomatic) persistent symptoms at one month post injury. The primary outcome measure was the corticalsilent period (cSP) (thought to represent GABAergic inhibition). Results: 57 children with mTBI (44% male; age 14.23 (SD:2.49)) and 28 controls were compared. cSP was similar between groups (F(2, 70)=0.53, p=0.591). There were no other significant group differences in cortical excitability. Conclusions: TMS was well tolerated in children with mTBI. Cortical excitability is similar to normal children at one-month following the injury.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Neuroscience

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Seeger, Trevor

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Barlow, Karen
• Kirton, Adam

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Dunn, Jeff
• Gallagher, Clare
• Esser, Michael

• Neuroscience

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/25470

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/2659