TBI Project Amsterdam

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the world leading cause of acquired brain injury. Literature suggests a pivotal role for attentional functioning in neurocognitive and behavioural consequences of paediatric TBI. Limitations of traditional neuropsychological measures of attentional functioning have interfered with identification of the effect of paediatric TBI on attentional networks so far. Moreover, the associations between attentional networks, learning abilities, academic performance and behavioural and emotional problems following paediatric TBI are yet to be explored.

Detailed Description
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Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the world leading cause of disability in children (Winslade, 1998), causing deficits in motor function, neurocognition and adaptive behaviour (Anderson, 2001). Literature shows that age at injury is inversely related to the magnitude of deficits following TBI, highlighting the vulnerability of children for the effects of TBI. The neurocognitive consequences of paediatric TBI have primarily been characterized by impairments in speed of information processing, attentional functioning and learning (Babikian & Asarnow, 2009; Catroppa & Anderson, 2009), interfering with typical neurocognitive development. We aim at elucidating the effects of TBI on neurocognitive function and investigate the relations between neurocognitive deficits, academic achievement and emotional and behavioural function, in order to improve our understanding of the post-injury functioning of children that have suffered TBI. Methods: Patients with TBI will be compared to a control group consisting of orthopedically injured patients. Orthopaedic control (OC) groups offer a better comparison to TBI patients than typically developing children by controlling for TBI risk factors related to neurocognition (e.g. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, socioeconomic status), hospitalisation and the type of injuries other than brain injuries. Measures: Child's Orientation and Amnesia Test, Attention Network Test, Probabilistic Learning Test, Child Behaviour Checklist, Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire, Experimental Neurocognitive Test developed at the VU University and Pupil Monitoring System.

Official Title
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Attention, Learning and Behaviour Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Children

Conditions
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Traumatic Brain Injury

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: TBI patients will be included if they have parental written informed consent provide written informed consent if aged over 11 years are Dutch speaking have a clinical diagnosis of TBI (closed head injury) have a time post-injury that is longer than 1 month are aged between 6-12 years. Trauma control patients will be included if they: have parental written informed consent provide written consent if aged over 11 years are Dutch speaking have suffered an orthopaedic injury have no history of TBI and are aged between 6-12 years.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 6 Years
Maximum Age: 12 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Patients with traumatic injuries<br>Children that were admitted to the hospital after traumatic injuries to body parts below the clavicles (traumatic control injury) and children that were admitted to the hospital after traumatic brain injury as diagnosed by a physician (TBI). | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The white-matter integrity of children with TBI will be compared to children with traumatic control injuries | FA/ADC values will be reported for selected region's of interest in children with TBI and children with traumatic control injuries. | on average 1-year post-TBI | 
| Performance on tests of attention will be compared between children with TBI and children with traumatic control injuries | Mean reaction time and accuracy will be reported for children with TBI and children with traumatic control injuries | on average 1-year post-TBI | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Parental reports of behavioural regulation will be compared between children with TBI and children with traumatic control injuries | Problem scores on several types of behavioural problems will be reported for children with TBI and children with traumatic control injuries | on average 1-year post-TBI | 
| Academic achievement will be compared between children with TBI and children with traumatic control injuries | Scores on standardised tests of academic achievement will be reported for children with TBI and children with traumatic control injuries | on average 1-year post-TBI | 
| Performance on test of reinforced learning will be compared between children with TBI and children with traumatic control injuries | Reaction time and accuracy on computerised tests of reinforced learning will be reported for children with TBI and children with traumatic control injuries | on average 1-year post-TBI | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury, Children, Prognosis, Neurocognition