title: Follow-up of neuropsychological function recovery in a 9-year-old girl with anoxic encephalopathy: a window on the brain re-organization processes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate comprehensive neuropsychological outcome, disabilities in daily life and individual recovery processes in a case of anoxic encephalopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 9-year-old child's functional outcome after anoxic coma was evaluated in a follow-up study with assessments at 5, 9 and 12 months post-injury. A comprehensive neuropsychological protocol was administered. Qualitative methods of analysis and ecological observation were associated with standard and non-standard quantitative measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The child presented pervasive functional deficits with prevalence of gnosic, praxic and self-regulatory dysfunction. Dissociated functional recovery was documented in 12 months time. Improvement of self-regulatory abilities was likely a 'propeller' of global system re-organization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A descriptive longitudinal study of functional and ecological behavioural changes after anoxic coma provides insight into the re-adaptation processes in the brain connected to post-lesion ecological and training experiences. Contextual factors and their relations to functional improvements deserve further study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Amicuzi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cappelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stortini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cherubini
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Pierro
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002663:Child Language; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007360:Intelligence; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*