Imaging Sheds Light on Lasting Effects of TBI

On average, whole brain volume and both gray and white matter volumes decreased by 3%-10% in the first few months after severe TBI. In comparison, Dr. Diaz-Arrastia said, the rate of atrophy for patients with Alzheimer's disease is about 1%-2% a year.

Functional MRIs also provide some clues that the injured brain sustains long-term problems. The blood oxygen level dependent signal typically shows seemingly random fluctuations when the brain is at rest. But recent studies have shown that these fluctuations actually represent the communication between brain regions that work together. “In our patients, we found a very high indication that the functional connectivity between the hippocampi was greatly reduced,” compared with controls, he said.

TBI patients 'might look OK … but their cognitive and behavioral problems are real.'

Source DR. DIAZ-ARRASTIA