Dennis J. Zgaljardic

Effect of Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy on Cognition after Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health issue, and yet medical science has little to offer for the persistent symptoms that prevent many of these individuals from fully re-entering society. Post-traumatic hypopituitarism, and specifically growth hormone deficiency (GHD), has been found in a large percentage of individuals with chronic moderate to severe TBI. Presently, there are no published treatment studies of hormone replacement in this population. In this study, 83 subjects with chronic TBI were screened for hypopituitarism. Forty-two subjects were found to have either GHD or GH insufficiency (GHI), of which 23 agreed to be randomized to either a year of GH replacement or placebo. All subjects completed the study with no untoward side effects from treatment. A battery of neuropsychological tests and functional measures were administered before and after treatment. Improvement was seen on the following tests: Dominant Hand Finger Tapping Test, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III-Information Processing Speed Index, California Verbal Learning Test II, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (executive functioning). The findings of this pilot study provide preliminary evidence suggesting that some of the cognitive impairments observed in persons who are GHD/GHI after TBI may be partially reversible with appropriate GH replacement therapy.

Effect of recombinant growth hormone replacement in a growth hormone deficient subject recovering from mild traumatic brain injury: A case report.

Objective: To assess the effects of growth hormone (GH) replacement in an individual who sustained mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) as an adult and was found to have GH deficiency by glucagon stimulation testing. Participant: A 43-year old woman who sustained a mild TBI at age 37 years. She was 6.8 years post-injury when she began supplementation. Intervention: Recombinant human GH (rhGH) subcutaneously per day for 1 year. Main outcome measures: Single fibre muscle function was evaluated from muscle biopsies. Body composition, muscle strength and peak aerobic capacity were also measured. In addition, neuropsychological tests of memory, processing speed and motor dexterity and speed, as well as a self-report depression inventory were administered. All assessments were performed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of rhGH replacement therapy. Results: Single muscle fibre changes were greatest at 6 months. Body composition showed continuous improvement. Muscle strength improved for knee extension. Peak oxygen consumption increased at 6 months and total work and ventilatory equivalents continued to improve at 12 months. Significant improvements in neuropsychological test performance were not found, with the exception of performance on a test of motor dexterity and speed. Conclusion: rhGH replacement in a subject with GH deficiency after mild TBI improves muscle force production, body composition and aerobic capacity. Reliable improvements on tests of cognition were not found in this subject.

Ecological validity of the neuropsychological assessment battery screening module in post-acute brain injury rehabilitation.

Primary objective: To assess the ecological validity of the Screening Module of the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB-SM) using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Method: Seventy individuals with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury at a residential post-acute rehabilitation facility were administered the FIM instrument and the NAB-SM upon admission. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the variables from these two assessment measures. Results: Hierarchical models revealed that (1) the NAB-SM Total score was significantly associated with the FIM instrument Total score as well as the Motor and Cognition sub-scale scores, above and beyond the contribution of demographic variables, (2) the NAB-SM Language, Memory and Spatial domain scores were significantly associated with of the FIM instrument Cognition sub-scale score and (3) the NAB-SM Spatial domain score was significantly associated with of the FIM instrument Total and Motor sub-scale scores. Conclusions: The current findings support previous research and provide strong evidence for the ecological validity of the NAB-SM with regard to functional abilities as assessed by the FIM instrument.

Neuropsychological assessment battery (NAB): Performance in a sample of patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury

The Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB; Stern & White, 2003) is a comprehensive test battery that assesses five cognitive domains (Attention, Language, Memory, Spatial, and Executive Functions). The purpose of the current descriptive study was to present data on the index and primary test scores from the five main NAB cognitive modules in a sample of patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) admitted to a residential postacute rehabilitation program. Twenty patients were administered all five main NAB modules upon recommendation from the NAB Screening module. The sample performed significantly worse than normal on tests that assess selective and divided attention, psychomotor speed, verbal memory, and cognitive flexibility. The largest proportion of patients performing below an established impairment cutoff (10th percentile) occurred on the Numbers and Letters, List Learning, Story Learning, Daily Living Memory, and Categories Tests. Significant performance decrements were not observed on any indices or tests from the Language or Spatial cognitive domain modules. The pattern of performance on the NAB demonstrated by the current sample is consistent with the neuropsychological profile observed in postacute patients with moderate-to-severe TBI without focal deficits (e.g., aphasia), demonstrating its relative sensitivity in this patient population. A comparison between the current study sample and a related clinical sample from the NAB standardization data is discussed.

Ecological validity of the screening module and the Daily Living tests of the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery using the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4 in postacute brain injury rehabilitation.

PURPOSE The assessment of ecological validity of neuropsychological measures is an area of growing interest, particularly in the postacute brain injury rehabilitation (PABIR) setting, as there is an increasing demand for clinicians to address functional and real-world outcomes. In the current study, we assessed the predictive value of the Screening module and the Daily Living tests of the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB) using clinician ratings from the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4 (MPAI-4) in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. METHOD Forty-seven individuals were each administered the NAB Screening module (NAB-SM) and the NAB Daily Living (NAB-DL) tests following admission to a residential PABIR program. MPAI-4 ratings were also obtained at admission. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the association between these functional and neuropsychological assessment measures. RESULTS We replicated prior work (Temple at al., 2009) and expanded evidence for the ecological validity of the NAB-SM. Furthermore, our findings support the ecological validity of the NAB-DL Bill Payment, Judgment, and Map Reading tests with regards to functional skills and real-world activities. CONCLUSIONS The current study supports prior work from our lab assessing the predictive value of the NAB-SM, as well as provides evidence for the ecological validity for select NAB-DL tests in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury admitted to a residential PABIR program.

Reliability and Validity of the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery-Screening Module (NAB-SM) in a Sample of Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Acquired Brain Injury

The Screening module from the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB-SM; Stern & White, 2003) is a comprehensive cognitive screening measure that assesses five domains (Attention, Language, Memory, Spatial, and Executive Functions). The construct validity of the NAB-SM in comparison to established neuropsychological (NP) measures in individuals with moderate-to-severe brain injury has yet to be investigated. Participants were 42 individuals with acquired brain injury admitted to a post-acute residential rehabilitation program. The NAB-SM cognitive domain index scores demonstrated weak internal consistency, whereas internal consistency for the NAB-SM total index score was satisfactory. In demonstrating construct validity, the NAB-SM cognitive domain index scores and individual subtest scores maintained several significant relationships with other NP tests that shared test structure and content or not. These relationships were limited or absent for the NAB-SM Executive Functions subtests and the NAB-SM Shape Learning subtest. Our findings provide preliminary support for the reliability and validity of the NAB-SM in a sample of patients with moderate-to-severe brain injury.

Psychiatric Disease and Post-Acute Traumatic Brain Injury

Psychiatric disorders are common following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and can include depression, anxiety, and psychosis, as well as other maladaptive behaviors and personality changes. The epidemiologic data of psychiatric disorders post-TBI vary widely, although the incidence and prevalence rates typically are higher than in the general population. Although the experience of psychiatric symptoms may be temporary and may resolve in the acute period, many patients with TBI can experience psychopathology that is persistent or that develops in the post-acute period. Long-term psychiatric disorder, along with cognitive and physical sequelae and greater risk for substance use disorders, can pose a number of life-long challenges for patients and their caregivers, as they can interfere with participation in rehabilitation as well as limit functional independence in the community. The current review of the literature considers the common psychiatric problems affecting individuals with TBI in the post-acute period, including personality changes, psychosis, executive dysfunction, depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. Although treatment considerations (pharmacological and nonpharmacological) are referred to, an extensive description of such protocols is beyond the scope of the current review. The impact of persistent psychiatric symptoms on perceived caregiver burden and distress is also discussed.

Neuropsychological and physiological correlates of fatigue following traumatic brain injury

Abstract Background: Fatigue is a common and debilitating phenomenon experienced by individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can negatively influence rate and extent of functional recovery by reducing participation in brain injury rehabilitation services and increasing maladaptive lifestyle practices. The underlying mechanisms of TBI-related fatigue are not entirely understood and focused research on symptom reduction or prevention is limited. Review: The current review of the literature suggests that the aetiology of TBI-related fatigue can be viewed as a multifactorial and complex model impacting physiological systems (i.e. endocrine, skeletal muscle and cardiorespiratory) that can be directly or indirectly influenced by neuropsychological correlates including cognitive and psychological impairment. Distinguishing central from peripheral fatigue is helpful in this regard. Potential therapeutic strategies and pharmacological agents to help alleviate fatigue in this patient population are discussed.

Crisis Intervention Training Program: Influence on Staff Attitudes in a Postacute Residential Brain Injury Rehabilitation Setting

of the program, and 1 month later. Results: Immediately following completion of the program, participants reported increased comfort when faced with client behaviors related to motivation and adherence, sexuality, and aggression and when interacting with other staff and client families. Changes in comfort level with sexual situations, aggression, and staff/staff interactions were maintained 1 month post training. Conclusions/Implications: These results suggest that crisis intervention training is effective in increasing levels of staff comfort with difficult situations commonly experienced in the rehabilitation setting and the changes are maintained following training.

Balint's syndrome and post-acute brain injury rehabilitation: A case report

Background: Balints syndrome includes the clinical symptom triad of simultagnosia, ocular apraxia and optic ataxia. These symptoms, in combination, are rare and can be quite debilitating as they impact visuospatial skills, visual scanning and attentional mechanisms. Case Study: The literature addressing rehabilitation of individuals with Balints syndrome is sparse. The current case report describes the outcome of a 58-year old male who presented with Balints syndrome secondary to severe traumatic brain injury and following completion of a comprehensive post-acute brain injury rehabilitation programme. The patient was 4-months post-injury onset upon admission and received 6 months of rehabilitation services as an inpatient. The patients comprehensive rehabilitation programme involved a 3-pronged approach including the implementation of (a) compensatory strategies, (b) remediation exercises and (c) transfer of learned skills in multiple environments and situations with implementation of psychoeducation and psychotherapy. Comprehensive neuropsychological and occupational therapy evaluations were performed at admission and at discharge in order to monitor cognitive, affective, neurological and functional change over time. Conclusions: Neuropsychological test improvements were noted on tasks that assess visuospatial functioning, although most gains were noted for functional and physical abilities.