Evaluating the Neuropsychological Presentation of Traumatic Brain Injuries

This Neurobehavioral Capstone focused on traumatic brain injury (TBI), which is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States for children and young adults. TBI refers to a disruption of the brain’s normal functioning as a result of an acute external force. The most common causes for a TBI include falls, vehicular accidents, struck by or against an object, and assaults. The incidence for each cause of a TBI changes with respect to age. Severity of a TBI is determined using the Glasgow Coma Scale, which monitors the patient’s eye movements, verbal response and motor response. Neuropsychological testing assesses the patient’s physical, cognitive, and behavioral deficits. These deficits include, but are not limited to, memory, processing speed, speech, executive function, and decision making. Results of neuropsychological testing help set a course for treatment and monitors the patient’s recovery. This treatment course may include physical therapy, cognitive therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling. Observations at Bancroft NeuroRehab included the observation of neuropsychological testing of patients with TBIs and how their deficits helped direct their individualized treatment. The neuropsychological testing results also helped localize the specific areas in the brain affect by the acute injury for each patient. These observations will be discussed in light of the Neurobehavioral research in the area of TBI