J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2003 Nov;42(6):742-748.

Clinical Characteristics of Memory Disturbance in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury Referred for Mental Disabilitiy Evaluation

• Shin S
• Kim MJ
• Chung YI

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of memory disturbance caused by traumatic brain injury.
METHODS
We measured the memory functions of 90 patients who complained of memory impairment after traumatic brain injury and were referred for mental disability evaluation, using Rey-Kim Memory Test. The patients were divided into three groups according to Memory Quotient and brain imaging studies. We also examined their intelligence and emotional characteristics using K-WAIS and MMPI.
RESULTS
1) Among the patients who complained of memory impairment and had abnormal brain imaging after traumatic brain injury, more than half showed no actual memory disturbance. 2) The group with actual memory disturbance showed normal verbal short-term memory but showed deficits in verbal long-term memory. And their visuospatial functions were preserved but visual short- and long-term memory were impaired. 3) There was notable correlation between memory function and intelligence in patients with traumatic brain injury. 4) The group with abnormal brain imaging showed more social withdrawal than the group without abnormal brain imaging. The group without abnormal brain imaging showed more somatization than the group with abnormal brain imaging.
CONCLUSION
We suggest the special memory function test as well as brain imaging studies for patients who complain of memory impairment after traumatic brain injury.

Keyword

Traumatic brain injury; Memory disturbance; Rey-Kim memory test

MeSH Terms

Brain Injuries*
Disability Evaluation
Humans
Intelligence
Memory*
Memory, Long-Term
Memory, Short-Term
MMPI
Neuroimaging