The neuropsychological aspects of cognitive alterations in men and women with concussion

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the main cause of death and disability. The purpose of this study is to assess the neuropsychological features of cognitive alterations in men and women who have had a concussion. Materials and Methods: Patients with moderate TBI with concussion of the brain and damage duration ranging from 1–5 years were included in the study (n=136), between 19–63 years old. The following methods were chosen for the neuropsychological phase of the study: Mini-Mental State Examination, Frontal Assessment Battery, 10 Words Test, Clock Drawing Test, Schulte Table Test, and Controlled Oral Word Association Test. Results: In both groups, there were no difficulties in a simple choice reaction, in performing dynamic praxis, or in assessing the grasping reflex. The differences in delayed reproduction indicators were 6.5±0.19 and 6.9±0.39, significantly differing from the control group of 8.7±0.23 (P<0.001), which also indicates a cognitive deficit. During the use of the attention parameter in the Schulte Table Test, finding numbers in two groups went beyond the normal indicators of the control group. Conclusion: The revealed features of cognitive deficits were characterized by neurodynamic disorders in the form of slowing down of mental activity and insufficient concentration of attention.