Clinical Characteristics of Neurocognitive Function in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury Referred for Mental Disability Evaluation

Kim, Won Hyoung; Jung, Seung Ho; Kang, Min Hee; Lee, Jeong Seop; Bae, Jae Nam; Kim, Chul Eung

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics of neurocognitive functions in patients with traumatic brain injury referred for mental disability evaluation.
METHODS
The neurocognitive functions of 293 patients, who were referred for mental disability evaluation, were assessed using a computerized neurocognitive test. The patients were divided into three groups according to head trauma history and brain imaging studies. We also measured their intelligence and memory, using the K-WAIS and the Rey-Kim Memory Test.
RESULTS
The group with organic mental disorder showed more impaired concentration, language, memory, intelligence, executive function and visuospatial function than those with nonorganic mental disorder without traumatic brain injury. The group with organic mental disorder also showed greater impairments in selective attention, some part of language, long-term memory, and hypothesis formation than those with postconcussional disorder. The group with organic mental disorder obtained lower intelligence and memory test scores than those with postconcussional disorder and nonorganic mental disorder without traumatic brain injury. There was no difference in intelligence or memory between postconcussional disorder and nonorganic mental disorder without traumatic brain injury.
CONCLUSION
Patients with postconcussional disorder share the characteristics of neurocognitive function with organic mental disorder and nonorganic mental disorder without traumatic brain injury. We suggest the computerized neurocognitive test that evaluated details of neurocognitive functions for patients with traumatic brain injury referred for mental disability evaluation.