Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews
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Neurosci Biobehav Rev · Jul 2004
ReviewStatistical and conceptual issues in defining post-operative cognitive dysfunction.
The occurrence of post-operative cognitive dysfunction is a distressing complication following surgery. In an effort to gain a more complete understanding of patients' cognitive recovery following surgical procedures common neuropsychological assessment tools have been adopted in a repeated measures design. It is widely regarded that this represents the most comprehensive method of determining cognitive status in this population but it has resulted in a number of statistical and conceptual difficulties in attempting to infer significant change. The current paper outlines these core difficulties and provides some potential methods to overcome these.
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Neurosci Biobehav Rev · Jul 2004
ReviewMotor and cognitive function evaluation following experimental traumatic brain injury.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in humans may cause extensive sensorimotor and cognitive dysfunction. As a result, many TBI researchers are beginning to assess behavioral correlates of histologically determined damage in animal models. ⋯ The ability to reliably test treatments across laboratories and multiple injury models will close the gap between treatment success in the lab and success in the clinic. The goal of this review is to describe and evaluate the tests employed to assess functional outcome after TBI and to overview aspects of cognitive, sensory, and motor function that may be suitable targets for therapeutic intervention.