An Investigation of Neuronal Integrity in Severe Paediatric Traumatic Brain Injury |
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| Authors: | Louise Parry Arthur Shores Caroline Rae Allan Kemp Mary-Clare Waugh Ray Chaseling |
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| Affiliation: | 1. The Rehabilitation Department, The Children's Hospital at Westmead Westmead Australia;2. Developmental Cognitive Neuropsychology Research Unit The Children's Hospital at Westmead Westmead Australia;3. Department of Psychology and Linguistics Macquarie University Epping Australia;4. Department of Biochemistry The University of Sydney Australia;5. Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital at Westmead Westmead Australia;6. The Rehabilitation Department, The Children's Hospital at Westmead Westmead Australia;7. Department of Neurosurgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead Westmead Australia |
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| Abstract: | Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) and its association with neuropsychological functioning was examined in the chronic injury phase of paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). Fifteen children, aged 10-16 years, with severe TBIs were compared with 15 controls, matched for age and gender. The TBI group was found to have significantly lower levels of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and Choline (Cho) in the right frontal lobe and generally displayed reduced performances on neuropsychological tests. A correlation between metabolites and reaction times was also obtained. Findings indicate a role of proton MRS as a measure of neuronal integrity following severe paediatric TBI and suggest a potential association of MRS with specific neuropsychological impairments. |
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