scholarly journals The relationship between consciousness and the ascending reticular activating system in patients with traumatic brain injury

BMC Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung Ho Jang ◽  
Young Hyeon Kwon

Abstract Background We investigated the relationship between consciousness and the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) by using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods Twenty-six patients with TBI and 13 healthy control subjects were recruited for this study. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores were used for evaluation of subject consciousness state at the chronic stage of TBI (at DTT scanning), According to the GCS score, the patient group was divided into two subgroups: A (14 patients;impaired consciousness: GCS score < 15, and B (12 patients;intact consciousness;GCS score = 15). Fractional anisotropy (FA) and tract volume (TV) values were assessed in the lower dorsal and upper ARAS. Results The FA values of the lower dorsal ARAS and the upper ARAS in patient subgroup A were significantly lower than those in patient subgroup B and the control group(p <  0.05). However, the FA and TV values for the lower dorsal ARAS and the upper ARAS were not significantly different between patient subgroup B and the control group(p > 0.05). The FA value of the lower dorsal ARAS(r = 0.473,p <  0.05) and the TV of upper ARAS(r = 0.484,p <  0.05) had moderate positive correlations with the GCS score. The FA value of the upper ARAS had a strong positive correlation with the GCS score of the patient group(r = 0.780,p <  0.05). Conclusions We detected a close relationship between consciousness at the chronic stage of TBI and injuries of the lower dorsal and upper ARAS (especially, the upper ARAS) in patients who showed impaired consciousness at the onset of TBI. We believe that our results can be useful during the development of therapeutic strategies for patients with impaired consciousness following TBI. Trial registration YUMC 2019–06–032-003. Retrospectively registered 06 Jun 2020.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung Ho Jang ◽  
YOUNGHYEON KWON

Abstract Background: We investigated the relationship between consciousness and the ascending reticular activating system(ARAS) by using diffusion tensor tractography(DTT) in patients with traumatic brain injury(TBI).Methods: Twenty-six patients with TBI and 13 healthy control subjects were recruited for this study. Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS) scores were used for evaluation of subject consciousness state at the chronic stage of TBI(at DTT scanning), According to the GCS score, the patient group was divided into two subgroups: A(14 patients;impaired consciousness:GCS score<15, and B(12 patients;intact consciousness;GCS score=15). Fractional anisotropy(FA) and tract volume(TV) values were assessed in the lower dorsal and upper ARAS.Results: The FA values of the lower dorsal ARAS and the upper ARAS in patient subgroup A were significantly lower than those in patient subgroup B and the control group(p<0.05). However, the FA and TV values for the lower dorsal ARAS and the upper ARAS were not significantly different between patient subgroup B and the control group(p>0.05). The FA value of the lower dorsal ARAS(r=0.473,p<0.05) and the TV of upper ARAS(r=0.484,p<0.05) had moderate positive correlations with the GCS score. The FA value of the upper ARAS had a strong positive correlation with the GCS score of the patient group(r=0.780,p<0.05).Conclusions: We detected a close relationship between consciousness at the chronic stage of TBI and injuries of the lower dorsal and upper ARAS(especially, the upper ARAS) in patients who showed impaired consciousness at the onset of TBI. We believe that our results can be useful during the development of therapeutic strategies for patients with impaired consciousness following TBI.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung Ho Jang ◽  
Younghyeon Kwon

Abstract Background: We investigated the relationship between consciousness and the ascending reticular activating system(ARAS) by using diffusion tensor tractography(DTT) in patients with traumatic brain injury(TBI).Methods: Twenty-six patients with TBI and 13 healthy control subjects were recruited for this study. Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS) scores were used for evaluation of subject consciousness state at the chronic stage of TBI(at DTT scanning), According to the GCS score, the patient group was divided into two subgroups: A(14 patients;impaired consciousness:GCS score<15, and B(12 patients;intact consciousness;GCS score=15). Fractional anisotropy(FA) and tract volume(TV) values were assessed in the lower dorsal and upper ARAS.Results: The FA values of the lower dorsal ARAS and the upper ARAS in patient subgroup A were significantly lower than those in patient subgroup B and the control group(p<0.05). However, the FA and TV values for the lower dorsal ARAS and the upper ARAS were not significantly different between patient subgroup B and the control group(p>0.05). The FA value of the lower dorsal ARAS(r=0.473,p<0.05) and the TV of upper ARAS(r=0.484,p<0.05) had moderate positive correlations with the GCS score. The FA value of the upper ARAS had a strong positive correlation with the GCS score of the patient group(r=0.780,p<0.05).Conclusions: We detected a close relationship between consciousness at the chronic stage of TBI and injuries of the lower dorsal and upper ARAS(especially, the upper ARAS) in patients who showed impaired consciousness at the onset of TBI. We believe that our results can be useful during the development of therapeutic strategies for patients with impaired consciousness following TBI.Trial registration: YUMC 2019-06-032-003. retrospectively registered 06 Jun 2020.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 205970021989410
Author(s):  
Taylor R Susa ◽  
Ryan D Brandt ◽  
Keara J Kangas ◽  
Catherine E Bammert ◽  
Erich N Ottem ◽  
...  

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) helps restore neuronal function following mild traumatic brain injury. BDNF levels can be obtained in blood serum and more recently in saliva. However, the relationship between serum and salivary BDNF is poorly understood—especially in relation to alterations in BDNF levels following mild traumatic brain injury. In this study, serum and salivary BDNF were collected from a sample of 42 collegiate student athletes. Half of the participants were recently cleared by a physician and/or an athletic trainer to return-to-play after experiencing a sports-related concussion. The other half had not experienced a concussion within the past year and were matched by age, sex, sport, and time of sample. Results suggest that incidences of depression, anxiety, and stress were all elevated in the concussion group, relative to the control participants. When controlling for stress-related negative affect, serum BDNF was elevated in the concussion group. However, there was no difference in salivary BDNF. Serum and salivary BDNF were uncorrelated across the entire sample. Yet, these measures of BDNF were correlated in the concussion group, but not the control group. In sum, serum BDNF is elevated in concussion post return-to-play; however, further research is needed to explore the utility of salivary BDNF following concussion.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1016-1016
Author(s):  
J Knight ◽  
A Arzuyan ◽  
W Lopez-Hernandez ◽  
P Litvin ◽  
R Cervante ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects neurocognition. Speaking multiple languages can also influence cognitive test performances. We examined the relationship between TBI and monolingualism/bilingualism on a task of attention and response inhibition (Stroop Color Word Test; SCWT). Method The sample (N = 96) consisted of 37 healthy controls (19 bilingual; 18 monolingual), 32 acute TBI participants (12 bilingual; 20 monolingual), and 27 chronic TBI participants (16 bilingual; 11 monolingual). Acute TBI participants were tested 6 months post-injury and chronic TBI participants were tested 12 months or more post-injury. The SCWT included the word (SCWT-W), color (SCWT-C), and color-word interference (SCWT-I) conditions. All participants passed performance validity testing. 3X2 ANOVAs were conducted to examine the relationship between TBI and monolingualism/bilingualism on SCWT performances. Results Group effects (control and TBI groups) were found for all Stroop measures. We found main effects of TBI on SCWT-W, p = .013, ηp² = .09, SCWT-C, p = .001, ηp² = .14, and SCWT-I, p = .022, ηp² = .08, with the controls outperforming acute TBI survivors on SCWT-I, chronic TBI survivors on SCWT-W, and both TBI groups on SCWT-C. We also observed main effects of language for SCWT-C, p = .012, ηp² = .07, and SCWT-I, p = .003, ηp² = .09, with the monolinguals outperforming bilinguals on SCWT-C and SCWT-I. However, no significant interactions between TBI and language were found. Conclusion As expected, the control group outperformed TBI survivors on the SCWT. Monolinguals outperformed bilinguals on all Stroop measures except SCWT-W condition. Our findings seem to suggest that monolingual speakers may have better attention and response inhibition abilities that resulted in better SCWT performance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1020-1020
Author(s):  
K Cornett

Abstract Objective Research literature has demonstrated the role that pre-morbid anxiety has in prolonging recovery from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The aim of this investigation is to clarify the degree of the relationship between anxiety and postconcussive symptomology in patients with mTBI. Method This study compared scores from a patient-report measure of anxiety, the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), to scores from a patient-report measure of postconcussion symptom severity, the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI). Participants were recruited from September 2018 to December 2019 who had been referred for clinical evaluation to Rehabilitation Institute of Washington’s Brain Injury Services (a privately-run, interdisciplinary, outpatient clinic). 39 adult participants (30 males and nine females) completed both the GAD-7 and NSI. No control group was used. Injury severity level was ascertained via review of the medical records. Patients underwent an abbreviated evaluation with a clinical neuropsychologist. As a part of this initial evaluation, patients completed an intake packet, which included the NSI and GAD-7. Results The relationship between the ordinal variables (i.e., anxiety and postconscussive symptomology) was assessed using spearman’s rho. Anxiety had a strong, statistically significant relationship with postconcussive symptomology (rho = 0.670, p = 0.000). Conclusions Anxiety and postconcussive symptomology severity are associated in this population of patients with mTBI. Limitations of this current investigation include a small sample size and no control group. This study indicates the need for controlled studies in future research to address the above-encountered limitations. Nevertheless, this study lends support to the prevalence of anxiety in those with elevated postconcussive symptomology and the need to monitor this in assessment and treatment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
SungHO Jang ◽  
YOUSUNG SEO

Abstract Objectives We investigated the relationship between cingulum injury and impaired consciousness in patients with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HI-BI) by using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT). Methods We recruited 29 patients with HI-BI and 25 normal control subjects. The patients were classified as intact consciousness (group A, 13 patients) or impaired consciousness (group B, 16 patients). The DTT parameters of fractional anisotropy (FA) and tract volume (TV) were estimated for both cinguli. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) scores were also evaluated. Results The FA and TV values of the cinguli in groups A and B were lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05), and the FA and TV values of group B were lower than those of group A (p < 0.05). The FA and TV values of the cinguli in group A were not significantly correlated with GCS and CRS-R scores (p > 0.05); however, regarding the group B, the FA correlations with GCS (r = 0.457, p < 0.05) and CRS-R (r = 0.494, p < 0.05) and those of TV with GCS (r = 0.500, p < 0.05) and CRS-R (r = 0.491, p < 0.05) were moderately positive. Conclusions We found a significant relationship between injury of the cingulum and impaired consciousness in patients with HI-BI. Our results suggest that an injured cingulum could be an appropriate target for neurointervention or neurorehabilitation in patients with impaired consciousness following HI-BI.


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