Seatbelts contribute to location of lesion in moderate to severe closed head trauma

The relationship between seatbelt use and injury severity, brain lesion loc ation, and functional outcome was investigated in 163 individuals who susta ined traumatic brain injuries in motor vehicle collisions. Of this group, 3 1 were using a seatbelt at the time of the accident and 132 were not. Restr ained motor vehicle occupants were significantly more likely to sustain dam age to subcortical brain structures than unrestrained occupants. Conversely , unrestrained occupants sustained a greater frequency of posterior brain l esions. In addition, demographic and behavioral variables were significantl y related to increased likelihood of seatbelt use. Analyses revealed no sig nificant differences between groups for injury severity variables and funct ional outcome measures. Seatbelts alter the body's response to forces appli ed in motor vehicle collisions, creating disparities in lesion sites betwee n restrained and unrestrained motor vehicle occupants. The relationship bet ween seatbelt use and injury severity and functional outcome is discussed. (C) 2001 National Academy of Neuropsychology. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.