A retrospective study of 20 patients with mild traumatic brain injury
(MTBI) examined brain regions of interest by comparing [18F]-2-
deoxyglucose PET, neuropsychological test results, and continuing
behavioral dysfunction. Abnormal local cerebral metabolic rates (rLCMs)
were most prominent in midtemporal, anterior cingulate, precuneus, anterior
temporal, frontal white, and corpus callosum brain regions. Abnormal rLCMs
were significantly correlated statistically with 1) overall clinical
complaints, most specifically with inconsistent attention/concentration and
2) overall neuropsychological test results. The authors conclude that 1)
even mild TBI may result in continuing brain behavioral deficits; 2) PET
can help elucidate dysfunctional brain circuitry in neurobehavioral
disorders; and 3) specific brain areas may correlate with deficits in daily
neurobehavioral functioning and neuropsychological test findings.Abstract Teaser