Executive disorders and perceived socio-emotional changes after traumatic brain injury

J Neuropsychol. 2009 Sep;3(Pt 2):213-27. doi: 10.1348/174866408X397656. Epub 2009 Feb 9.

Abstract

Although socio-emotional changes are very frequently encountered after traumatic brain injury (TBI), the psychological mechanisms underlying these disorders are still poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the relationships between dysexecutive syndrome (assessed with the Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome [BADS]) and socio-emotional changes assessed by the Iowa scales of personality change (ISPC) in patients with TBI. The BADS was thus administered to 25 patients with TBI and to 25 healthy controls. Simultaneously, a close relative of each patient was given the ISPC in order to assess socio-emotional changes. Results indicated that patients displayed significantly lower executive performances than controls and experimented significant socio-emotional changes. The Modified Six Elements Test was the only subtask of the BADS to be significantly related to behavioural changes, and more specifically to externalizing disorders. It is concluded that executive functions, and especially multitasking, encompass processes whereby one can consciously control one's emotional reactions and behaviours.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Affective Symptoms / etiology*
  • Aged
  • Brain Injuries / complications*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Personality / physiology
  • Problem Solving / physiology*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychometrics
  • Social Perception*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Young Adult