title: Functional outcome in TBI II: verbal memory and information processing speed mediators.
abstract: Following traumatic brain injury (TBI), patients often report memory difficulties, as well as reduced information processing speed. However, it remains unclear the extent to which these deficits contribute to functional impairment. In the present study, we compared the relative contribution of verbal memory and information processing speed to functional impairment at 12-month post-injury, in 87 patients with moderate-to-severe TBI. Employing structural equation modeling, we found that information processing speed, but not verbal memory functions, significantly mediated the relationship between TBI severity and post-TBI adaptive functioning. These findings suggest that despite the pervasive memory complaints among patients with TBI, it is the impact of neurotrauma on frontal systems that appears to be primarily responsible for patients' difficulties in social and occupational functioning.
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychology Division, Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA. yurir@ucla.edu
authors.forename: Yuri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rassovsky
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Satz
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Alfano
authors.forename: Roger K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Light
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zaucha
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: McArthur
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hovda
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology*