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Objectives: To explore the prevalence and structure of self-reported disability after mild traumatic brain injury and the impact of traumatic brain pathology on such outcome. Material and methods: In study 1-3, symptoms data were collected by use of Rivermead Post-concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) and data on global function by use of Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) from 2602 patients at 3 months after MTBI. RPQ data were subject to factor and Rasch-analyses Head CT data from 1262 patients were used in a prediction analysis that also included age and gender. In study 4, MRI and symptoms data were collected at 2-3 days and at 3-7 months follow-up after MTBI in 19 patients. Global function was assessed at follow-up by use of the Rivermead Head Injury Follow-Up Questionnaire (RHIFUQ) and GOSE. Results: I. Most respondents reported no remaining symptoms but 24% reported ≥3 and 10% ≥7 remaining symptoms. The factor analysis demonstrated that all symptoms are correlated but also identified subgroups of symptoms. II. Rasch-analysis of RPQ showed disordered category function, local dependency of items, poor targeting of persons to items and indications of 3 or more dimensions. There was no differential item functioning. III. Head CT pathology with no need for acute intervention was observed in 52 patients (4%) but was not associated with either frequency of remaining symptoms or global outcome at 3 months post injury. Female gender and age over 30 years were associated with less favourable outcome with respect to symptoms and GOSE. IV. Post-acute MRI indicated trauma-related pathology in one patient and follow-up MRI indicated loss of brain volume in 4 patients. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of patients with MTBI report remaining problems at three months after MTBI. RPQ is useful but not optimal to assess symptoms outcome after MTBI and calculation of a total sum score is not recommended. Female gender and older age are negative prognostic factors while brain pathology according to CT has no effect on self-reported outcome. Loss of brain volume after MTBI according to MRI may be a sensitive marker of traumatic brain pathology and deserves further studies.

Student Number : 9000358J - MA research report - School of Human and Community Development - Psychology - Faculty of Humanities / Memory is a collection of systems in the brain that work in conjunction with other systems and modalities to effect encoding, storage, retrieval, and learning of information. It also plays a part in the executive and other higher order functions (Banich, 1997). Patients who suffered a traumatic brain injury frequently have impaired memory functioning and a host of consequential problems as well. Rehabilitation of TBI patients is focused primarily on helping TBI patients to cope with and compensate for their disabilities (Hart, Whyte, Polansky, Millis, Hammond, Sherer, Bushnik, Hanks & Kreutzer, 2003) and one of the most important aspects of rehabilitation is memory (Quemada, Cespedes, Ezkerra, Ballesteros, Ibarra & Urruticoechea, 2003). In this study a commercially available memory enhancement program (Mega Memory® System) was used in an intervention with ten male TBI sufferers to evaluate its effectiveness in rehabilitation of memory. Subjects were assessed before and after the intervention on the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Tests and the Benton Visual Retention Test. Group results on Rivermead did not show any significant improvement of memory functioning, but the Number Correct scores on the Benton did. All subjects showed improvement on different aspects of memory functioning, especially in the domains of memory for everyday events, verbal, figurative, and spatial memory immediately following administration of the program. Overall the changes in memory functioning was not significant.

INTRODUÇÃO: O envelhecimento está associado, muitas vezes, a um declínio cognitivo frequentemente negligenciado, especialmente quando em formas brandas e/ou iniciais, com importante repercussão na vida das pessoas. Tais declínios podem regredir para a normalidade, estabilizar ou mesmo evoluir para quadro demenciais. O comprometimento cognitivo leve (CCL) é uma síndrome clínica de associada a um risco aumentado de demência, podendo ter várias etiologias e patologias. Até o momento, não existe ainda uma abordagem terapêutica, deixando uma lacuna no arsenal terapêutico tanto do especialista quanto do clínico geral. A estimulação magnética transcraniana é uma técnica não invasiva e promissora. Tem potencial para melhorar a memória e a cognição de idosos ativando redes neurais. OBJETIVOS: Este trabalho visa verificar os efeitos da estimulação magnética transcraniana repetitiva (EMTr) de alta frequência primeiramente sobre a memória e, secundariamente, sobre a cognição global de idosos com CCL. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo duplo cego, randomizado sham-controlado. Foram estimulados 32 idosos com idades entre 60-74 anos, totalmente independentes para as atividades instrumentais de vida diária (AIVDs), com queixas subjetivas de memória e evidência de algum prejuízo na avaliação neuropsicológica, caracterizando CCL. Os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos: (I) EMTr ativa (n=15) e (II) EMTr sham (n=17). O grupo ativo recebeu 10 sessões de EMTr a 10Hz (110% do limiar motor e 2.000 pulsos por sessão) sobre o córtex pré-frontal dorso lateral esquerdo.Foi utilizada uma bobina inativa (sham) para o grupo placebo. As baterias neuropsicológicas foram realizadas nos três tempos: antes (T0), logo após (T1) e um mês após (T2) a EMTr. RESULTADOS: Dos 109 pacientes triados, 36 foram elegíveis para o estudo. Houve 4 desistências, e 32 finalizaram o estudo. Os dados demográficos foram homogêneos. Os escores dos testes foram ajustados para a idade e escolaridade. O ponto de corte do Escore Isquêmico de Hachinski foi <=4. A medida de desfecho primário foi o teste ecológico Rivermead Behavioural Memory (RBMT) devido a sua alta capacidade de predizer problemas de memória diárias. As variáveis contínuas foaram avaliadas pelo teste t de Student. Análise de variância para medidas repetidas (ANOVA) foi utilizada para comparar as medidas de variáveis quantitativas ao longo dos instantes de medição. Houve interação (efeito de grupo) a favor do grupo ativo nas variáveis Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (p=0,042) e teste de Stroop (retângulos) (p=0,044) em T0-T1; dígitos ordem direta (p=0,041) e trilhas B em T1-T2 (p=0,032). Houve interação no teste de memória lógica tardia em T0-T1 e T0-T2 (p=0,044 e 0,005, respectivamente) a favor do grupo sham; porém, o desfecho foi igual em T2 em ambos os grupos. Não houve interação no IQCODE e na escala de Bayer de funcionalidade. Os resultados mostram melhora significativa, a um nível de 5% de significância, na memória do dia a dia, da atenção e de função executiva dos idosos que se submeteram à EMTr de alta frequência, sugerindo seu potencial terapêutico no CCL. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01292382. / BACKGROUND: Aging maybe associated with a cognitive decline often overlooked, especially in milder forms, with significant impact on people\'s lives. Such declines may regress to normal, or even stabilize, or progress to dementia. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical syndrome associated with an increased risk of dementia and may have different etiologies and pathologies. To date, there is still not a therapeutic approach, leaving a gap in the therapeutic armamentarium of both expert as the general practitioner. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a promising and noninvasive technique with potential to improve memory and cognition in elderly by activating neural networks. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the effects of high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) primarily on memory and secondarily on global cognition in elderly people with MCI. METHODS: Double blind, randomized sham-controlled trial. Were stimulated 32 eldrely aged 60-74 years, totally independent for instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) with subjective memory complaints and evidence of some impairment in neuropsychological assessment, characterizing MCI. Subjects were divided into two groups: (I) active rTMS (n=15) and (II) rTMS sham (n=17). The active group received 10 sessions of 10 Hz rTMS (110% of motor threshold and 2000 pulses per session) over left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. We used a inactive coil (sham) for the placebo group. The neuropsychological assessment were conducted in three stages: before (T0), immediately after (T1) and one month after (T2) rTMS. RESULTS: Of 109 patients screened, 36 were eligible for the study. There were 4 dropouts, and 32 completed the study. Demographic data were homogeneous. The test scores were adjusted for age and education. All subjects presented a cut-off score <=4 for the Hachinski Ischaemic Score. Continuous variables were evaluated by Student t test. Repeated measures of anayses of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare measures of quantitative variables along time. The primary outcome measure was a positive response on the ecological tool Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) because of its capacity to predict everyday memory problems. There was interaction (group effect) in favor of the active group over the variables RBMT (p=0.042) and Stroop test (colored rectangles) (p=0.044) at T0-T1; digit span direct order (p=0.041) and trail making B, T1-T2 (p=0.032). There was interaction in late logic memory test at T0-T1 and T0-T2 (p=0.044 and 0.005, respectively) for the sham group, but the outcome was the same in both groups at T2. There were no significant interaction at IQCODE and Bayer ADL Scale. The results present significant improvement, at a 5% level of significance, in everyday memory, attention and executive function of the elderly who underwent to high-frequency rTMS, suggesting its therapeutic potential in MCI. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01292382.

INTRODUÇÃO: O envelhecimento está associado, muitas vezes, a um declínio cognitivo frequentemente negligenciado, especialmente quando em formas brandas e/ou iniciais, com importante repercussão na vida das pessoas. Tais declínios podem regredir para a normalidade, estabilizar ou mesmo evoluir para quadro demenciais. O comprometimento cognitivo leve (CCL) é uma síndrome clínica de associada a um risco aumentado de demência, podendo ter várias etiologias e patologias. Até o momento, não existe ainda uma abordagem terapêutica, deixando uma lacuna no arsenal terapêutico tanto do especialista quanto do clínico geral. A estimulação magnética transcraniana é uma técnica não invasiva e promissora. Tem potencial para melhorar a memória e a cognição de idosos ativando redes neurais. OBJETIVOS: Este trabalho visa verificar os efeitos da estimulação magnética transcraniana repetitiva (EMTr) de alta frequência primeiramente sobre a memória e, secundariamente, sobre a cognição global de idosos com CCL. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo duplo cego, randomizado sham-controlado. Foram estimulados 32 idosos com idades entre 60-74 anos, totalmente independentes para as atividades instrumentais de vida diária (AIVDs), com queixas subjetivas de memória e evidência de algum prejuízo na avaliação neuropsicológica, caracterizando CCL. Os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos: (I) EMTr ativa (n=15) e (II) EMTr sham (n=17). O grupo ativo recebeu 10 sessões de EMTr a 10Hz (110% do limiar motor e 2.000 pulsos por sessão) sobre o córtex pré-frontal dorso lateral esquerdo.Foi utilizada uma bobina inativa (sham) para o grupo placebo. As baterias neuropsicológicas foram realizadas nos três tempos: antes (T0), logo após (T1) e um mês após (T2) a EMTr. RESULTADOS: Dos 109 pacientes triados, 36 foram elegíveis para o estudo. Houve 4 desistências, e 32 finalizaram o estudo. Os dados demográficos foram homogêneos. Os escores dos testes foram ajustados para a idade e escolaridade. O ponto de corte do Escore Isquêmico de Hachinski foi <=4. A medida de desfecho primário foi o teste ecológico Rivermead Behavioural Memory (RBMT) devido a sua alta capacidade de predizer problemas de memória diárias. As variáveis contínuas foaram avaliadas pelo teste t de Student. Análise de variância para medidas repetidas (ANOVA) foi utilizada para comparar as medidas de variáveis quantitativas ao longo dos instantes de medição. Houve interação (efeito de grupo) a favor do grupo ativo nas variáveis Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (p=0,042) e teste de Stroop (retângulos) (p=0,044) em T0-T1; dígitos ordem direta (p=0,041) e trilhas B em T1-T2 (p=0,032). Houve interação no teste de memória lógica tardia em T0-T1 e T0-T2 (p=0,044 e 0,005, respectivamente) a favor do grupo sham; porém, o desfecho foi igual em T2 em ambos os grupos. Não houve interação no IQCODE e na escala de Bayer de funcionalidade. Os resultados mostram melhora significativa, a um nível de 5% de significância, na memória do dia a dia, da atenção e de função executiva dos idosos que se submeteram à EMTr de alta frequência, sugerindo seu potencial terapêutico no CCL. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01292382. / BACKGROUND: Aging maybe associated with a cognitive decline often overlooked, especially in milder forms, with significant impact on people\'s lives. Such declines may regress to normal, or even stabilize, or progress to dementia. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical syndrome associated with an increased risk of dementia and may have different etiologies and pathologies. To date, there is still not a therapeutic approach, leaving a gap in the therapeutic armamentarium of both expert as the general practitioner. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a promising and noninvasive technique with potential to improve memory and cognition in elderly by activating neural networks. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the effects of high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) primarily on memory and secondarily on global cognition in elderly people with MCI. METHODS: Double blind, randomized sham-controlled trial. Were stimulated 32 eldrely aged 60-74 years, totally independent for instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) with subjective memory complaints and evidence of some impairment in neuropsychological assessment, characterizing MCI. Subjects were divided into two groups: (I) active rTMS (n=15) and (II) rTMS sham (n=17). The active group received 10 sessions of 10 Hz rTMS (110% of motor threshold and 2000 pulses per session) over left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. We used a inactive coil (sham) for the placebo group. The neuropsychological assessment were conducted in three stages: before (T0), immediately after (T1) and one month after (T2) rTMS. RESULTS: Of 109 patients screened, 36 were eligible for the study. There were 4 dropouts, and 32 completed the study. Demographic data were homogeneous. The test scores were adjusted for age and education. All subjects presented a cut-off score <=4 for the Hachinski Ischaemic Score. Continuous variables were evaluated by Student t test. Repeated measures of anayses of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare measures of quantitative variables along time. The primary outcome measure was a positive response on the ecological tool Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) because of its capacity to predict everyday memory problems. There was interaction (group effect) in favor of the active group over the variables RBMT (p=0.042) and Stroop test (colored rectangles) (p=0.044) at T0-T1; digit span direct order (p=0.041) and trail making B, T1-T2 (p=0.032). There was interaction in late logic memory test at T0-T1 and T0-T2 (p=0.044 and 0.005, respectively) for the sham group, but the outcome was the same in both groups at T2. There were no significant interaction at IQCODE and Bayer ADL Scale. The results present significant improvement, at a 5% level of significance, in everyday memory, attention and executive function of the elderly who underwent to high-frequency rTMS, suggesting its therapeutic potential in MCI. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01292382.