Traumatic Brain Injury

An fMRI investigation in oculomotor learning through vergence eye movements

by Jillian Nguyen

CG PLAN v01

by Tony Harewood

Virtual navigation for memory rehabilitation in a traumatic brain injured patient

by Franco Cauda

Heme oxygenase is necessary for the excitatory response of cultured neonatal rat rostral ventrolateral medulla neurons to hypoxia

by Dominic D'Agostino

Heme oxygenase has been linked to the oxygen-sensing function of the carotid body, pulmonary vasculature, cerebral... more Heme oxygenase has been linked to the oxygen-sensing function of the carotid body, pulmonary vasculature, cerebral vasculature, and airway smooth muscle. We have shown previously that the cardiorespiratory regions of the rostral ventrolateral medulla are excited by local hypoxia and that heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) is expressed in the hypoxia-chemosensitive regions of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), the respiratory pre-Bötzinger complex, and C1 sympathoexcitatory region. To determine whether heme oxygenase is necessary for the hypoxic-excitation of dissociated RVLM neurons (P1) cultured on confluent medullary astrocytes (P5), we examined their electrophysiological responses to hypoxia (NaCN and low Po(2)) using the whole-cell perforated patch clamp technique before and after blocking heme oxygenase with tin protoporphyrin-IX (SnPP-IX). Following the electrophysiological recording, immunocytochemistry was performed on the recorded neuron to correlate the electrophysiological response to hypoxia with the expression of HO-2. We found that the responses to NaCN and hypoxia were similar. RVLM neurons responded to NaCN and low Po(2) with either depolarization or hyperpolarization and SnPP-IX blocked the depolarization response of hypoxia-excited neurons to both NaCN and low Po(2) but had no effect on the hyperpolarization response of hypoxia-depressed neurons. Consistent with this observation, HO-2 expression was present only in the hypoxia-excited neurons. We conclude that RVLM neurons are excited by hypoxia via a heme oxygenase-dependent mechanism.

Arts-based approach and ABI, Gray et al

by Julia Gray

Functional Analysis and treatment of the delusional statements of a man with multiple disabilities: A four-year follow-up

by Robert Travis

Although delusional statements in people with intellectual disabilities and traumatic brain injury can be treated... more Although delusional statements in people with intellectual disabilities and traumatic brain injury can be treated using behavioral interventions, none have demonstrated long-term treatment
effects. In the current study, a functional analysis demonstrated that delusional statements were maintained by attention. Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior and extinction of delusional statements resulted in near elimination of delusional statements and an increase in nondelusional statements. Follow-up at 6 months, 1, 2, and 4 years indicated that treatment gains were maintained with continued staff training.

Comparison of Abnormal MRI Findings in T2weighted Spin Echo and T2weighed Gradient echo in Chronic Traumatic Brain Injuries

by IOMC Conference

Hamid Reza Saeidiborojeni1, Elham Shobeiri1*, Mansour Rezaei1, Zahra Aslani1, and Sepehr Saeidiborojeni2
1Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
2Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
* elhamshobeiri@gmail.com

Do clients with acquired brain injury use the splints prescribed by occupational therapists? A descriptive study

by Mehdi Rassafiani

Video game play changes spatial and verbal memory: rehabilitation of a single case with traumatic brain injury

by Franco Cauda

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when mechanical
force causes damage to brain tissue resulting in the... more Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when mechanical
force causes damage to brain tissue resulting in the disruption
of brain functioning. Cognition is frequently
damaged after TBI; although the effects of TBI can be
variable, the domains of memory, attention, and executive
functioning are consistently impaired. Memory deficit is
one of the most (if not the most) common and disabling
impairments caused by TBI (Vakil 2005).
The use of 3D video games in brain damage rehabilitation
is a very little explored resource at the present time. 3D
video games are based on virtual reality technology. The
advantage of using VR in cognitive rehabilitation is to
simulate many real life situations, thereby providing the
opportunity for more ecologically valid and dynamic
assessment and training (Rose et al. 2005). The utility of this
method has been established through some spatial memory
studies (see Rose et al. 2005). It has been shown that navigation
of a virtual environment allows participants to encode
the spatial layout of the virtual environment and activate a
network of areas as the Hippocampus involved in memory
processing (Maguire et al. 1998). Some authors assumed that
hippocampal activations are more likely to be observed
when the knowledge acquired concerns a complex and
detailed large-scale spatial layout (Woollett et al. 2008).
The aim of this exploratory study was to assess the
modifications occurring in cognitive functions, in particular
spatial and verbal memory, and a potential fMRI increase
of signal in hippocampal and extrahippocampal brain
regions in a TBI patient after a 3D video game rehabilitation
training.

Pattern of trauma determines the threshold for epileptic activity in a model of cortical deafferentation

by Vladislav Volman

iSupport: do social networking sites have a role to play in concussion awareness?

by Osman Ahmed

Purpose:
The Facebook web site is an exceptionally fast-growing social networking site (SNS) containing... more Purpose:
The Facebook web site is an exceptionally fast-growing social networking site (SNS) containing membership
groups with discussion boards on a wide variety of issues. This study uses content analysis to scrutinise postings on Facebook
groups related to concussion and examine the purpose of these postings.

Method:
472 Facebook groups related to concussion were screened by three researchers using a specifically developed
coding scheme to examine demographic information and the purpose of the posting. In those cases where agreement was not
obtained, post-analysis discussion allowed consensus to be reached.

Results:
From the 17 Facebook groups which met the inclusion criteria, 145 postings were included for analysis. The
predominant demographic group which posted on the Facebook discussion boards were North American males. In the main
part, individuals utilised the Facebook group to relate personal experiences of concussion (65%), although it was also used to
seek (8%) or offer advice (2%). Supporting quotes were extracted.

Conclusions:
This study highlights the evolving nature of healthcare support in the twenty-first century and the rich
information present relating to concussion on SNSs such as Facebook. Although the information being shared on these sites
is important, the peer-to-peer interaction may be the key aspect of this health education medium.

Hospital–School Collaboration to Serve the Needs of Children With Traumatic Brain Injury

by Angela Canto

Using computer based therapy to treat pragmatics related deficiencies in adolescent TBI survivors

by Zoltan Boka

Powerpoint presentation held at the December 9 2009 meeting of the Metro Experimental Research Group [M.E.R.G] of Yale University.

Enhancing Staff Performance Measures in an Acquired Brain Injury Setting: Combating the Habituation to Organizational Behavior Interventions

by James Soldner

Co-authored with John M. Guercio, Mark R. Dixon, Zach Shoemaker, Kim Zlomke, Shannon Root, & Stacey Small, Published in 'Behavioral Interventions', 2005

The current study examines the utility of a range of behavioral strategies involving group and individual performance... more The current study examines the utility of a range of behavioral strategies involving group and individual performance feedback for direct care staff in an in-patient acquired brain injury setting.We first assessed the level of staff completion of behavioral programs for persons with brain injury who resided in one of two residential houses. A weekly percentage score for the entire house was obtained that reflected the completion of behavior programs in each residence. In a multiple baseline fashion across houses we varied the types of feedback intervention introduced to staff, which included in-service training on the importance of completing behavior programs, a weekly public posting of overall program completion by house, and a weekly public posting of completion of programs by specific staff members.

Impulsivity, Self-Control, and Delay Discounting in Persons with Acquired Brain Injury

by James Soldner

Co-authored with Mark R. Dixon, Eric A. Jacobs, Scott Sanders, John M. Guercio, Susan Parker-Singler, Ashton Robinson, Stacey L. Small, & Jeffrey Dillen, Published in 'Behavioral Interventions', 2005

The present paper describes two studies in which participants with and without acquired brain injuries were compared... more The present paper describes two studies in which participants with and without acquired brain injuries were compared on a temporal discounting task involving various hypothetical amounts of money available at varying delay values. During Experiment 1, both groups of participants were presented with choices between amounts of money ranging from 1 to 1000 US dollars at delays from 1 week to 10 years. The results obtained from this procedure were consistent with previous models of temporal delay discounting for control group participants, yet not for the majority of the participants with acquired brain injuries. During Experiment 2, adjustments in hypothetical amounts and delays were made whereby the amounts of money ranged from 1 to 20 US dollars at delays from 1 day to 1 year. These manipulations yielded data generally consistent with temporal delay discounting models previously reported in the published literature. The utility of using delay discounting procedures as a means of assessing impulsivity in persons with acquired brain injuries is presented.

Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation and Managed Care: Implications for Rehabilitation Administrators

by James Soldner

Co-authored with Thomas D. Upton & Paige N. Dunlap, Published in 'Journal of Rehabilitation Administration', 2009

Brain injury constitutes a major health care concern in the US today. Annual budget costs in the US for brain injury... more Brain injury constitutes a major health care concern in the US today. Annual budget costs in the US for brain injury rehabilitation total more than $4 billion dollars. Managed care as a system of organizing and financing health care services to control these costs was formally introduced in the early 1990s. Brain injury rehabilitation service providers and administrators in this managed care era face increased pressure to produce successful clinical outcomes in an abbreviated time frame. These outcomes may include consumer satisfaction, return to competitive employment, and attainment of functional goals and rehabilitation potential. Services such as evidence-based practices, precision teaching, shortened versions of neuropsychological testing, can be possible solutions. Implications for rehabilitation administrators are also discussed including, techniques to maximize service provision potential, assuring consumer satisfaction, and balancing research with practice.

The Use of Computer Activity Schedules to Increase Initiation of and Engagement in Domestic and Leisure Activities in an Adult with Acquired Brain Injury

by James Soldner

Co-authored with Ruth Anne Rehfeldt, John M. Guercio, & Jeffrey E. Dillen, Published in "European Journal of Behavior Analysis', 2005

The purpose of this case study was to highlight the use of Microsoft® PowerPoint® to construct a computerized activity... more The purpose of this case study was to highlight the use of Microsoft® PowerPoint® to construct a computerized activity schedule for an adult with acquired brain injury. We also questioned whether teaching the individual schedule following skills would increase his initiation of and engagement in leisure and domestic activities. Computer activity schedule teaching was shown to increase on-task and on-schedule behavior, both of which remained high when the schedule was resequenced. Schedule following skills were also shown to generalize to novel activities. Computer schedules might thus serve a supportive role in adult brain injury rehabilitation.

After the Crash: A play about brain injury

by Julia Gray

Rediagnosing A Matter of Life and Death

by Damian Sutton