MR Spectroscopy and SWI: Neuropsyehological Outcome after Pediatric Brain Injury

<p>Truamatic brain injury (TBI) is among the most frequent pediatric neurological disorders and a significant contributor to childhood morbidity/mortality in the US. Although clinical indicators have been helpful in predicting long term outcomes, more effective prognostic tools are being sought. This study assessed the efficacies of acute single and multi-voxel Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) and Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) when predicting long-term neurocognitive functioning in pediatric TBI patients. Twenty children/adolescents (mean age 13.3 years, 5.8 SD) treated at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital for a head injury were administered measures of intellectual and neuropsychological functioning 1-4 years post injury. Without exception, patients scored markedly lower on all neurocognitive measures compared to age-matched norms. Clinical indicators of injury severity and age at injury were associated with outcomes. Early age at injury (< 8 years) and severe TBI together resulted in poor neurocognitive outcome, older age and mild injury resulted in scores within the normal range, while variable outcome was noted for patients with only one of the risk factors.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year

2005

Author dc:creator

• Babikian, Talin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kiti Freier
• Stephen Ashwal
• Todd Burley
• Barbara Holshouser
• Matt Riggs

• Psychology
• Brain Injuries -- Child; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy -- psychology; Neuropsychological Tests; Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/1132

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-2664