Virginia F. Newcombe1,2, Jo G. Outtrim1,
Dot A. Chatfield1, Anne Manktelow1, Peter J. Hutchinson3,
Jon P. Coles1,2, Guy B. Williams2, Barbara Sahakian4,
David K. Menon1,2
1Division of Anaesthesia, University of
Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom; 2Wolfson
Brain Imaging Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire,
United Kingdom; 3Academic Department of Neurosurgery, University
of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; 4Department of
Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Impairment
in decision making is commonly impaired post TBI contributing to the burden
on healthcare systems worldwide. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in selected
ROIs was correlated with neurocognitive performance in a decision making
task, the Cambridge Gambling Task; CGT. Cognitive performance on
neuropsychological testing correlated significantly with diffusivity
parameters in cognate brain regions. Our data add to the evidence that loss
of microstructural integrity, as detected by DTI, is an important determinant
of function following TBI, and confirm the involvement of key neurochemical
networks in these complex neurocognitive tasks. DTI may be a useful research
and clinical tool in this setting.