DIENCEPHALIC CHANGES IN TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY - RELATIONSHIP TO SENSORY PERCEPTUAL FUNCTION

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging scans of 33 traumatically brain-injure d (TBI) patients were compared quantitatively to MR scans of controls matched for age and gender. Quantitative estimates of thalamic, intern al capsule, and third ventricle morphology were obtained in each TBI p atient. Comparisons were made to normal control subjects and revealed significant reduction in thalamic volume with corresponding increase i n third ventricle. Measurements of internal capsule reflected nonsigni ficant changes. Significant correlations were observed between sensory -perceptual functioning, as measured by the Reitan-Klove Sensory-Perce ptual Exam, and thalamic volume in TBI patients. A decrease in thalami c volume was associated with an increase in sensory-perceptual errors.