Brain injury : [BI]
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Brain injury : [BI] · Jun 2009
Effect of amantadine on the sleep-wake cycle of an inpatient with brain injury.
A previous study suggested that the routine use of drugs intended to improve attention and arousal, such as methylphenidate, tend to have a variable but not significant effect on sleep-wake cycles. As amantadine is a frequently employed drug in brain injury rehabilitation, with known effects on fatigue and motor processing speed, this study examined the effect of amantadine on the sleep-wake behaviour of patients with brain injury undergoing rehabilitation. ⋯ This study fails to demonstrate that the use of amantadine on an inpatient brain injury population will affect sleep/wake quantity.
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Brain injury : [BI] · May 2009
ReviewThe use of Glasgow Coma Scale in injury assessment: a critical review.
Patients with brain injuries are assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). This review evaluates the use of GCS scoring in medical literature and identifies the reasons for inaccuracy. LITERATURE SELECTION AND CRITICAL APPRAISAL: Pubmed and ISI Web of Knowledge SM were searched using specific keywords. The authors critically appraised the current state of GCS scoring, GCS definitions, the time and frequency of assessment, confounders, GCS reporting and GCS assessment schemes. ⋯ The current inconsistent and inappropriate use of GCS diminishes its reliability in both a clinical and a scientific context. A consensus statement is needed to correct this situation. Citing the correct references, early and repeated GCS assessments at defined intervals, standardized reporting of confounders and GCS component plus sum scores, and the utilization of a uniform assessment scheme are recommended.
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Brain injury : [BI] · May 2009
First CT findings and improvement in GOS and GOSE scores 6 and 12 months after severe traumatic brain injury.
To analyse the association between individual initial computerized tomography (CT) scan characteristics and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) improvement between 6 months and 1 year. ⋯ TCDB CT scan classification and subarachnoid haemorrhage were associated with GOS/GOSE improvement from 6-12 months, but individual CT abnormalities were not associated.
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Brain injury : [BI] · May 2009
Association of injury severity, MRI-results and ApoE genotype with 1-year outcome in mainly mild TBI: a preliminary study.
To study the ability of MRI findings, apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype, the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) and duration of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) to predict the 1-year outcome in traumatic brain injury (TBI). ⋯ In multivariate models, the duration of PTA and acute MRI are the best predictors of 1-year outcome in TBI, whereas the prognostic values of GCS and ApoE are modest. The dominating role of GCS in assessing TBI severity should be questioned.
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Brain injury : [BI] · Mar 2009
Multicenter StudyThe relation between Glasgow Coma Scale score and later cerebral atrophy in paediatric traumatic brain injury.
To examine initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and its relationship with later cerebral atrophy in children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) using Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (QMRI) at 4 months post-injury. It was hypothesized that a lower GCS score would predict later generalized atrophy. As a guide in assessing paediatric TBI patients, the probability of developing chronic cerebral atrophy was determined based on the initial GCS score. ⋯ GCS is a commonly used measure of injury severity. It has proven to be a prognostic indicator of cognitive recovery and functional outcome and is also predictive of later parenchymal change.