title: Mild traumatic brain injury during infancy: Executive function and behavioural outcomes 24 months post-injury

authors: Zareie, Setareh

subjects: mild traumatic brain injury

abstract: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability for children and young people worldwide. Research has found that children in infancy and early childhood are at the highest risk of sustaining a TBI; and that mild TBI accounts for a large majority of these injuries. Unfortunately, there is limited research regarding the effects of TBI in this age group; and population-based studies are undertaken rarely. Most of the paediatric TBI research also focuses on school-aged children; and thus the effects of TBI sustained in infancy are not yet well understood. The main aim of this study was to investigate whether preschool children who have sustained a mild TBI would perform differently to healthy children in executive function (EF), with a particular focus on working memory and inhibitory control. A secondary aim was to investigate whether preschool children who have sustained a mild TBI would differ to healthy children in behavioural/emotional functioning.

The investigation involved a population-based sample of 24 children who sustained a mild TBI between the ages of 0-2 years old. 24 children who had not had a TBI were also recruited as an age-matched comparison group. Assessments involved both parents and their children; and were conducted approximately 24 months post-injury. Parents completed the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Preschool Version (BRIEF-P); and the Behaviour Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2). Children were also assessed using performance-based measures of EF such as the Delayed Alternation task - which measures working memory; and the Colour-Object Interference task - which measures inhibitory control. 

Results showed that children with and without mild TBI were characterised by similar EF abilities, including working memory and EF behaviours. In contrast, more children in the injury group (22.7% of the TBI sample) had clinically significant internalising behaviour problems (anxiety, depression and somatisation) as rated by their parents. These results indicate the need for children who have had a mild TBI to be screened for possible behavioural/emotional difficulties; and for interventions to be implemented as needed. Additional support for parents/caregivers may also be necessary. While no differences were observed between the two groups in EF at the time of assessment, it is recommended that longer-term studies are conducted.

text: Mild traumatic brain injury during infancy: Executive function and behavioural outcomes 24 months post-injury Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability for children and young people worldwide. Research has found that children in infancy and early childhood are at the highest risk of sustaining a TBI; and that mild TBI accounts for a large majority of these injuries. Unfortunately, there is limited research regarding the effects of TBI in this age group; and population-based studies are undertaken rarely. Most of the paediatric TBI research also focuses on school-aged children; and thus the effects of TBI sustained in infancy are not yet well understood. The main aim of this study was to investigate whether preschool children who have sustained a mild TBI would perform differently to healthy children in executive function (EF), with a particular focus on working memory and inhibitory control. A secondary aim was to investigate whether preschool children who have sustained a mild TBI would differ to healthy children in behavioural/emotional functioning.

The investigation involved a population-based sample of 24 children who sustained a mild TBI between the ages of 0-2 years old. 24 children who had not had a TBI were also recruited as an age-matched comparison group. Assessments involved both parents and their children; and were conducted approximately 24 months post-injury. Parents completed the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Preschool Version (BRIEF-P); and the Behaviour Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2). Children were also assessed using performance-based measures of EF such as the Delayed Alternation task - which measures working memory; and the Colour-Object Interference task - which measures inhibitory control. 

Results showed that children with and without mild TBI were characterised by similar EF abilities, including working memory and EF behaviours. In contrast, more children in the injury group (22.7% of the TBI sample) had clinically significant internalising behaviour problems (anxiety, depression and somatisation) as rated by their parents. These results indicate the need for children who have had a mild TBI to be screened for possible behavioural/emotional difficulties; and for interventions to be implemented as needed. Additional support for parents/caregivers may also be necessary. While no differences were observed between the two groups in EF at the time of assessment, it is recommended that longer-term studies are conducted.

year: 2014

title: Numerical modelling of plasticity induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation

authors: Wilson, Marcus T.

subjects: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

abstract: We use neural field theory and spike-timing dependent plasticity to make a simple but biophysically reasonable model of long-term plasticity changes in the cortex due to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We show how common TMS protocols can be captured and studied within existing neural field theory. Specifically, we look at repetitive TMS protocols such as theta burst stimulation and paired-pulse protocols. Continuous repetitive protocols result mostly in depression, but intermittent repetitive protocols in potentiation. A paired pulse protocol results in depression at short (<∼10 ms) and long (>∼ 100 ms) interstimulus intervals, but potentiation for mid-range intervals. The model is sensitive to the choice of neural populations that are driven by the TMS pulses, and to the parameters that describe plasticity, which may aid interpretation of the high variability in existing experimental results. Driving excitatory populations results in greater plasticity changes than driving inhibitory populations. Modelling also shows the merit in optimizing a TMS protocol based on an individual’s electroencephalogram. Moreover, the model can be used to make predictions about protocols that may lead to improvements in repetitive TMS outcomes.

text: Numerical modelling of plasticity induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation We use neural field theory and spike-timing dependent plasticity to make a simple but biophysically reasonable model of long-term plasticity changes in the cortex due to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We show how common TMS protocols can be captured and studied within existing neural field theory. Specifically, we look at repetitive TMS protocols such as theta burst stimulation and paired-pulse protocols. Continuous repetitive protocols result mostly in depression, but intermittent repetitive protocols in potentiation. A paired pulse protocol results in depression at short (<∼10 ms) and long (>∼ 100 ms) interstimulus intervals, but potentiation for mid-range intervals. The model is sensitive to the choice of neural populations that are driven by the TMS pulses, and to the parameters that describe plasticity, which may aid interpretation of the high variability in existing experimental results. Driving excitatory populations results in greater plasticity changes than driving inhibitory populations. Modelling also shows the merit in optimizing a TMS protocol based on an individual’s electroencephalogram. Moreover, the model can be used to make predictions about protocols that may lead to improvements in repetitive TMS outcomes.

year: 2013

title: Ko te Kōauau: Its historical journey, aspects of construction, socio-cultural relevance, and performance

authors: Komene, Jo'el

subjects: Koauau

abstract: In recent years there has been a revival of interest in traditional Māori musical instruments, including the Kōauau (sometimes called a  flute ). Most of the information on record is from Pākehā perspectives of music and culture. This thesis studies Kōauau in a Māori framework, giving weight to traditional Māori knowledge and practices, while bringing together much scattered information. The research links the origins/whakapapa of the Kōauau to the gods and their natural world, especially Hineraukatauri. The thesis analyses the materials used for Kōauau, the circumstances under which materials were acquired, their significance, design and methods of construction, and the tools employed in making Kōauau. The study discusses techniques for playing Kōauau, including its range of sounds, occasions on which they were played, and for what purposes they were used. Reference is made to the story of Hinemoa and Tūtānekai, with the suggestion that more knowledge can be drawn from pakiwaitara and pūrākau. As part of the research, several Kōauau available in the Auckland Museum were examined, showing that close inspection of these taonga significantly extended the information on them held by the Museum. Despite the constraints of the research in terms of time and other resources, the thesis makes an important contribution to knowledge, by collating widely distributed documentation into a concise form, by placing the Kōauau into a Māori perspective, emphasizing the spiritual dimensions of the instrument in its origins and its function, and by indicating what kinds of further research will assist in strengthening the revival of the Kōauau.

text: Ko te Kōauau: Its historical journey, aspects of construction, socio-cultural relevance, and performance In recent years there has been a revival of interest in traditional Māori musical instruments, including the Kōauau (sometimes called a  flute ). Most of the information on record is from Pākehā perspectives of music and culture. This thesis studies Kōauau in a Māori framework, giving weight to traditional Māori knowledge and practices, while bringing together much scattered information. The research links the origins/whakapapa of the Kōauau to the gods and their natural world, especially Hineraukatauri. The thesis analyses the materials used for Kōauau, the circumstances under which materials were acquired, their significance, design and methods of construction, and the tools employed in making Kōauau. The study discusses techniques for playing Kōauau, including its range of sounds, occasions on which they were played, and for what purposes they were used. Reference is made to the story of Hinemoa and Tūtānekai, with the suggestion that more knowledge can be drawn from pakiwaitara and pūrākau. As part of the research, several Kōauau available in the Auckland Museum were examined, showing that close inspection of these taonga significantly extended the information on them held by the Museum. Despite the constraints of the research in terms of time and other resources, the thesis makes an important contribution to knowledge, by collating widely distributed documentation into a concise form, by placing the Kōauau into a Māori perspective, emphasizing the spiritual dimensions of the instrument in its origins and its function, and by indicating what kinds of further research will assist in strengthening the revival of the Kōauau.

year: 2008