Progressive brain atrophy in patients with chronic neuropsychiatric symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury: a preliminary study

Brain Inj. 2012;26(12):1500-9. doi: 10.3109/02699052.2012.694570. Epub 2012 Jun 21.

Abstract

Introduction: NeuroQuant® is a recently developed, FDA-approved software program for measuring brain MRI volume in clinical settings. The aims of this study were as follows: (1) to examine the test-retest reliability of NeuroQuant®; (2) to test the hypothesis that patients with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) would have abnormally rapid progressive brain atrophy; and (3) to test the hypothesis that progressive brain atrophy in patients with mild TBI would be associated with vocational outcome.

Methods: Sixteen patients with mild TBI were compared to 20 normal controls. Vocational outcome was assessed with the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) and Disability Rating Scale (DRS).

Results: NeuroQuant® showed high test-re-test reliability. Patients had abnormally rapid progressive atrophy in several brain regions and the rate of atrophy was associated with inability to return to work.

Conclusions: NeuroQuant®, is a reliable and valid method for assessing the anatomic effects of TBI. Progression of atrophy may continue for years after injury, even in patients with mild TBI.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Atrophy
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Brain Concussion / complications
  • Brain Concussion / pathology*
  • Brain Concussion / physiopathology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Disease Progression*
  • Female
  • Glasgow Coma Scale
  • Glasgow Outcome Scale
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mood Disorders / etiology
  • Mood Disorders / pathology*
  • Mood Disorders / physiopathology
  • Prognosis
  • Recovery of Function
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Young Adult