Article

We investigated using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and the
association between white matter integrity and executive function (EF)
performance in postacute mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). In addition, we
examined whether injury severity, as measured by loss of consciousness (LOC)
versus alterations in consciousness (AOC), is related to white matter
microstructural alterations and neuropsychological outcome. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty
Iraq and Afghanistan War era veterans with a history of mTBI and 15 healthy
veteran control participants. RESULTS: There were no significant overall group
differences between control and mTBI participants on DTI measures. However, a
subgroup of mTBI participants with EF decrements (n = 13) demonstrated
significantly decreased fractional anisotropy of prefrontal white matter, corpus
callosum, and cingulum bundle structures compared with mTBI participants without
EF decrements (n = 17) and control participants. Participants having mTBI with
LOC were more likely to evidence reduced EF performances and disrupted ventral
prefrontal white matter integrity when compared with either mTBI participants
without LOC or control participants. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that altered
white matter integrity contributes to reduced EF in subgroups of veterans with a
history of mTBI and that LOC may be a risk factor for reduced EF as well as
associated changes to ventral prefrontal white matter.

Langue : ANGLAIS