Intelligence Across the Seventh Decade in Patients with Brain Injuries Acquired in Young Adulthood

Publication date: Available online 4 September 2018Source: Trends in Neuroscience and EducationAuthor(s): Shira Cohen-Zimerman, Carola Salvi, Frank Krueger, Barry Gordon, Jordan GrafmanAbstractIn this longitudinal study, we examined intelligence in a group of Vietnam veterans in their 60s who suffered combat-related penetrating traumatic brain injuries (pTBI) in their 20s (n=120), as well as matched veterans with no brain damage (n=33). Intelligence was evaluated using the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) administered before the injury occurred and then again at three points in time over the following 45 years. We tested for potential predictors and correlates of late midlife intelligence score, as well as the recent change in score over the seventh decade. The pTBI group had lower intelligence scores than the control group when currently evaluated. Pre-injury intelligence and the presence of a pTBI were the most consistent predictors of current intelligence scores. While exacerbated intellectual decline occurs following a young-adulthood pTBI and affects everyday life, no evidence for late midlife accelerated cognitive decline or dementia was found.
Source: Trends in Neuroscience and Education - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research