Neuropsychological treatment and longtime follow-up in an aphasic patient with very severe head trauma.
A 44-year old man with very severe head trauma had pronounced global aphasia and dyslogia for months. He received intensive neuropsychological treatment during the first two posttraumatic years and gradual improvement occurred. Notwithstanding sensory aphasia and at least moderate dementia, the patient then got sheltered work in a library. At that time a general follow-up examination took place and information on memory, language, and personality was obtained from the spouse. The procedure was repeated in exactly the same way ten years later. The great improvement in language and cognitive functions that had occurred during the decennium revealed itself in daily life as well as in clinical and psychometric findings. The case described shows that recovery neuropsychological functions can take place during many years after very severe head trauma.
D000328:Adult; D001037:Aphasia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007808:Language Therapy; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D011379:Prognosis; D012660:Semantics; D014706:Verbal Learning