Language disorders subsequent to mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI): Evidence from four cases

Background: The majority of cognitive research conducted within the mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) population has been predominantly neuropsychologically based, lacking in-depth linguistic analysis. The effect of MTBI on language function has received little attention and remains largely unexplored. Aims: This study was undertaken to explore in detail cognitive-linguistic impairments following MTBI, via the application of a comprehensive assessment battery. Methods & Procedures: Four participants with MTBI were administered a comprehensive battery of cognitive-linguistic assessments at 6 months post injury. The control group consisted of 10 age-, sex- and education-level-matched, non-neurologically impaired participants. Non-parametric group comparisons between the MTBI and matched controls participants were carried out, followed by case-by-case analysis. Outcomes & Results: Non-parametric between-group comparisons failed to reveal statistically significant differences between the MTBI and control participants across subtests. In case-by-case analyses, however, below normal performance on a range of subtests was demonstrated by the MTBI participants. Conclusions: Findings suggest high-level cognitive-linguistic deficits may occur as a consequence of MTBI and imply that MTBI mechanisms may have the capacity to alter frontal lobe functioning. It is suggested that more sensitive measures of cognitive and high-level language function are needed in the assessment of MTBI.