Neuropsychiatric functioning after traumatic brain injury

This review highlights recent developments in five areas relevant to neuropsychiatric functioning after traumatic brain injury. The increasing use of brain imaging techniques and the evaluation of the relationship between their results and traditional forms of assessment demonstrate the complementary, rather than competing, value of both procedures. Guidelines for the evaluation and management of mild traumatic brain injury in infants have been published. Despite evidence of inconsistency in the management of mild traumatic brain injury in adults, progress is evident in developing a theoretical basis for understanding the wide variety of symptoms that are apparent in this population, and in developing a biochemical marker for quantifying the degree of organic damage. An increased understanding of neuropsychiatric functioning after severe traumatic brain injury is now possible as a result of the availability of comprehensive, longitudinal studies and large sample, very long-term follow-up studies. Finally, evidence continues to accumulate that demonstrates the benefits of rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury, and improvements in procedures for the training of direct-care staff are apparent.