Persistent neurobehavioral problems following mild traumatic brain injury

Accumulating research documents typical rates in the range of 85% of mild t raumatic brain injury (MTBI) showing prompt, complete resolution with 15% s uffering from persistent neurobehavioral impairments. Studies of neurobehav ioral symptoms of MTBI have not separated these two populations, resulting in either inconclusive or contradictory conclusions concerning the relation ship of MTBI with residual behavioral problems. This project studied 70 MTB I patients with persistent neurobehavioral problems at two time intervals p ost-injury to determine whether there are consistent neurobehavioral patter ns considered to be sequelae of MTBI A matched group of 40 normal subjects provided control data. While most behavioral problems showed improvement, 2 1% tended to show significant behavioral impairment compared to controls at 12 or more months post-injury. Neurochemical bases of neuronal degeneratio n may account for some of the behavioral deterioration following MTBI. (C) 2001 National Academy of Neuropsychology. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd .