Relación entre funciones ejecutivas y trastornos neuropsiquiátricos en pacientes con Alzheimer de diferente grado de severidad / Relationship Between Executive Functions and Neuropsychiatric Disorders in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease of Different Degrees of Severity / Relação entre funções executivas e transtornos neuropsiquiátricos em pacientes com Alzheimer de diferentes estágios de gravidade

El objetivo del estudio fue investigar las funciones ejecutivas (fe) y los trastornos neuropsiquiátricos (tn) en pacientes con enfermedad de Alzheimer (ea), en función del grado de severidad, en comparación con sujetos sin deterioro cognitivo (ssdc). Se estudia-ron 50 pacientes con ea y 60 ssdc en un estudio no experimental-transversal con un muestreo no probabilístico basado en una serie de criterios de inclusión. Se aplicó la batería de evaluación frontal y el inventario neuropsiquiátrico, y los resultados mostraron que existe una relación negativa de intensidad moderada entre las fe y lostn, con independencia del grado de severidad de la ea. Se puede concluir que, en fase leve, la euforia se relaciona tanto con la sensibilidad hacia la interferencia como con el control inhibitorio; en fase moderada, la irritabilidad se relaciona de manera positiva con la sensibilidad hacia la interferencia, y en la fase moderadamente grave, la programación motora se relaciona de manera negativa con la agitación.

The aim of the study was to investigate executive func-tions (ef) and neuropsychiatric disorders (nd) in pa-tients with Alzheimer's disease (ad) according to the degree of severity, compared to subjects without cognitive impairment (swci). Fifty patients with ad and 60 swci were studied in a non-experimental-cross-sectional study with non-probabilistic sampling based on a series of inclusion criteria. The frontal evaluation battery and the neuropsychiatric inventory were applied and the results showed that there is a negative relationship of moderate intensity between ef and nd, regardless of the degree of severity of ad. It can be concluded that, in the mild phase, euphoria is related both to sensitivity towards interference and to inhibitory control; in moderate phase irritability is positively related to sensitivity towards interference; and in the moderately severe phase, motor programming is nega-tively related to agitation.

O objetivo do estudo foi investigar as funções executivas (fe) e os transtornos neuropsiquiátricos (tn) em pacien-tes com doença de Alzheimer (da) de acordo com o estágio de gravidade, em comparação com sujeitos sem comprometimento cognitivo (sscc). Foram avaliados 50 pacientes com da e 60 sscc em um estudo transversal não experimental com amostragem não probabilística baseada em uma série de critérios de inclusão. A bateria de avaliação frontal e o inventário neuropsiquiátrico foram aplicados e os resultados mostraram que existe uma relação negativa de intensidade moderada entre a fe e os tn, independente do estágio de gravidade da da. Pode-se concluir que, na fase leve, a euforia está rela-cionada tanto à sensibilidade à interferência quanto ao controle inibitório; na fase moderada, a irritabilidade está positivamente relacionada à sensibilidade à inter-ferência e; na fase moderadamente grave, a programação motora está negativamente relacionada à agitação.

Trastornos neuroconductuales en la demencia tipo Alzheimer / Neurobehavioral disorders in Alzheimers dementia type

Resumen Los trastornos neuroconductuales (TNC) son síntomas de la percepción alterada, del contenido del pensamiento, estado de ánimo o del comportamiento, aunque se desconocen qué tipos de TNC específicos están afectados en la Demencia tipo Alzheimer (DTA). El objetivo del estudio fue investigar los TNC en pacientes con DTA en comparación con sujetos sin deterioro cognitivo (SSDC). Se estudiaron 50 pacientes con DTA y 60 SSDC en un estudio no experimental-transversal con un muestreo no probabilístico en base a una serie de criterios de inclusión. Tras la aplicación del inventario neuropsiquiátrico, los resultados demostraron que los pacientes con DTA tienen mayor afectación de TNC como la ansiedad, depresión, apatía, irritabilidad, agitación en comparación con SSDC. Los SSDC presentan alteraciones en los TNC de depresión, ansiedad, apatía y alteraciones del sueño. En conclusión, los resultados confirman la hipótesis de que en la DTA se produce una mayor afectación de los TNC en comparación que los SSDC.

Abstract Neurobehavioral disorders (NBD) are symptoms of altered perception, content of thought, mood or behavior, although what specific types of NBD are affected in Alzheimer-type dementia (ATD) are unknown. The aim of the study is to investigate NBD in patients with ATD compared to Subjects without cognitive impairment (SWCI). Fifty patients with ATD and 60 SWCI were studied in a non-experimental-cross-sectional study with a non-probability sampling based on a series of inclusion criteria. After applying the neuropsychiatric inventory, the results showed that patients with ATD have greater involvement of NBD such as anxiety, depression, apathy, irritability, agitation compared to SWCI. The SWCI present alterations in the NBD of depression, anxiety, apathy and sleep disorders. In conclusion, the results confirm the hypothesis that a greater affectation of NBD occurs in ATD compared to SWCI.

Memory and Executive Dysfunction Predict Complex Activities of Daily Living Impairment in Amnestic Multi-Domain Mild Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND: Specific cognitive alterations could be one of the predictors that lead to the complex activities of daily living (CADL) impairment in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and, hence, help to explain the continuum between MCI and dementia. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to reevaluate the existing uncertainty regarding the impact of memory and executive functions on CADL in patients with MCI. METHODS: Caregivers of 161 patients with amnestic multi-domain MCI and of 150 patients with incipient Alzheimer's disease as well as 100 age-, sex-, and education-matched controls, completed the Interview for Deterioration in Daily Living Activities in Dementia, a suitable instrument for the description and discrimination of CADL. In addition, all patients and controls were assessed with a neuropsychological battery to measure explicit memory and executive functions performance. RESULTS: Multiple regression analyses showed that in the group of patients with amnestic multi-domain MCI, 67.4% of the variability of the CADL impairment was explained by worse performance on executive functions tests (p < 0.0001) and 41.8% by different explicit memory components impairment (p < 0.0001). Further, in patients with incipient AD, 44.0% of the variability of CADL impairment was explained by worse performance on executive functions tests (p < 0.0001) and 39.9% by different explicit memory components worsening (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Memory and executive functions alterations impact similarly on the CADL in both amnestic multi-domain MCI and incipient Alzheimer's disease. Given the continuum that exists between both conditions, we conclude that CADL impairment may be an important early step in the evolution towards Alzheimer's disease from amnestic multi-domain MCI.

Síntomas disejecutivos y reflejos frontales en pacientes con enfermedad de Alzheimer / Dysexecutive symptoms and frontal reflexes in patients with Alzheimer disease

INTRODUCCIÓN. La enfermedad de Alzheimer, supone la primera causa de demencia y produce múltiples alteraciones cognitivas como la afectación de las funciones ejecutivas. Esos pacientes presentan síntomas disejecutivos y alteración en los reflejos de liberación frontal, aunque se desconoce si están afectados en función del grado de severidad de la demencia. OBJETIVO. Determinar si existe una relación entre los Síntomas Disejecutivos y los Reflejos de Liberación Frontal en pacientes con enfermedad de Alzheimer. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo; se analizaron 23 pacientes con demencia tipo Alzheimer del Centro de Referencia Estatal de Atención a Personas con Enfermedad de Alzheimer, durante el periodo 2013-2014. Los datos fueron obtenidos mediante el cuestionario disejecutivo, y analizados mediante la prueba X2 y la U de Mann-Whitney. RESULTADOS. Las edades de los participantes oscilaron entre 55 y 90 años. La media de puntuaciones según el cuestionario disejecutivo, arrojó un valor de 21,69. En la planificación se observó diferencias significativas entre los pacientes con Alzheimer leve y moderado (p=0,020); así como, entre la fase leve y la moderadamente grave (p=0,014). En la conciencia social resultó similar entre la etapa leve y la moderada (p=0,036). CONCLUSIÓN. Los reflejos de liberación frontal y los síntomas disejecutivos estuvieron afectados, pero no se evidenció relación entre estos y el grado de severidad de enfermedad de Alzheimer. Se refutó la hipótesis que, a mayor grado de severidad, mayor afectación disejecutiva y de los reflejos de liberación frontal.

INTRODUCTION. Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia and produces multiple cognitive disorders such as the involvement of executive functions. These patients present with dysexecutive symptoms and impaired frontal release reflexes, although it is unknown whether they are affected depending on the severity of the dementia. OBJECTIVE. To determine if there is a relationship between the Dissecutive Symptoms and the Frontal Release Reflexes in patients with Alzheimer's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A descriptive, retrospective study was carried out; 23 patients with Alzheimer's dementia from the State Reference Center for Care for People with Alzheimer's Disease were analyzed during the 2013-2014 period. The data were obtained through the dissertation questionnaire, and analyzed using the X2 test and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS. The ages of the participants ranged from 55 to 90 years. The average of scores according to the executive questionnaire showed a value of 21,69. In the planning, significant differences were observed between patients with mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease (p = 0.020); as well as between the mild and moderately severe phase (p = 0.014). In social consciousness it was similar between the mild and moderate stages (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION. Frontal release reflexes and dissecting symptoms were affected, but no relationship between them and the severity of Alzheimer's disease was evident. The hypothesis was refuted that, to a greater degree of severity, greater disejecutiva involvement and frontal release reflexes.

Structure of Enhanced Cued Recall Task in the 7 Minute Screen Test.

Episodic memory in the 7 Minute Screen is assessed by the Enhanced Cued Recall (ECR) test. The ECR test is composed of three phases, Identification, Immediate Recall, and Free and Cued Recall. However, just the last phase is considered for the total score. We believe that collecting the performance data of the Identification and Immediate Recall phases could provide information regarding possible difficulties or impairments in the different aspects involved in the temporal mnesic process of acquisition of new information, such as in working memory or visual identification. The objective was to assess the goodness of fit for the three phases of the ECR test using a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to show if each phase is separated from each other as a different aspect that participates in the mnesic process. A total of 311 participants greater than 65 years were included in this study. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted for each individual phase. The analyses show that the ECR test consists of three separate phases that identify different steps of the mnesic process. Individual scores for each phase could allow for investigation of patient performance in different aspects of the memory process and could help in further neuropsychological assessment.

Función ejecutiva en pacientes con trastorno bipolar tipo I durante la fase asintomática / Executive functions in patients with bipolar disorder type I during asymptomatic phase

La función ejecutiva se ve involucrada en la mayor parte de las actividades que realizamos a diario, repercutiendo en la calidad de vida de las personas. Los rendimientos ejecutivos en el trastorno bipolar tipo I pueden fluctuar en función de la fase clínica en la que se encuentra el paciente. El objetivo de este trabajo se centra en revisar los hallazgos encontrados respecto a la función ejecutiva durante la fase asintomática del trastorno bipolar tipo I. Se han analizado 37 artículos científicos que abordan el rendimiento ejecutivo de pacientes eutímicos con trastorno bipolar tipo I. Se puede concluir que la mayoría de los estudios reportan dificultades ejecutivas en estos pacientes, aunque no parece existir consenso en los diferentes trabajos al indicar el tipo de déficit. Esta falta de acuerdo podría ser debida a aspectos metodológicos de los estudios y a distintas variables clínicas y farmacológicas. Las alteraciones ejecutivas en la eutimia son menores que en las fases agudas del trastorno y afectan sobre todo a la velocidad de procesamiento de la información. Los déficits ejecutivos de los pacientes podrían estar vinculados a posibles alteraciones funcionales a nivel de la corteza prefrontal, así como al propio efecto de los psicofármacos utilizados. Sería de especial relevancia que el tratamiento de estos pacientes incorporase estas alteraciones, lo que podría conseguirse mediante un enfoque neurocognitivo dentro de un abordaje terapéutico integrado...

Executive function is present in most of dairy activities, so it influences in quality of life. Executive performances in bipolar disorder type I can change in function of clinical phase that patient is. The aim of this work is to review the studies that have investigated executive function during asymptomatic phase in bipolar disorder type I. It has been analyzed 37 scientific articles that examine executive performance in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder type I. It can be concluded that bipolar patients in asymptomatic phase suffer executive difficulties, but it doesn’t seem to exist consensus regarding the type of deficits. This lack of agreement could be due to methodological diversity in studies, as well as the influence of different clinical or pharmacological variables. Executive alterations in euthymic phase are lower than the acute phases in bipolar disorder and affect mainly to processing speed. Executive deficits in patients could be linked to possible functional alterations in prefrontal cortex, as well as the psychopharmacological effect. It would be specially relevant treatment in bipolar disorder keep in mind this alterations, which it can get it with a neurocognitive approach within integrate treatment...

Deterioro cognitivo y factores asociados. Estudio DERIVA / Cognitive impairment and associated factors. DERIVA study

Diversos factores sociodemográficos, funcionales y clínicos han sido asociados a la prevalencia de deterioro cognitivo (DC) en las personas mayores de 65 años. Objetivo: estudiar la relación entre la presencia de DC y factores sociodemográficos y clínicos en una población urbana de mayores de 65 años. Método: los 327 participantes del estudio DERIVA, mayores de 65 años, se clasificaron en participantes sin DC (n = 265) y con DC (n = 62). Se les aplicó el OARS MFAQ, el índice de Katz y el de comorbilidad de Charlson para obtener datos sociodemográficos, de funcionalidad y comorbilidad. Se realizó un análisis de regresión logística para conocer los factores de riesgo de DC. Resultados: la edad (odds ratio [OR] = 1,08; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95 %, 1,03-1,12]; p < 0,01), la presencia de ansiedad-depresión (OR = 3,47; IC del 95 %, 1,61-7,51; p < 0,01) y la diabetes (OR = 2,07; IC del 95 %, 1,02-4,18; p = 0,04) se comportan como factores de riesgo, mientras que los años de estudio se muestran como un factor protector (OR = 0,79; IC del 95 %, 0,70-0,90; p < 0,01). Conclusión: sería conveniente realizar un seguimiento de los factores relacionados con la ansiedad-depresión y la diabetes, ya que aquellas personas mayores de 65 años que los presenten pueden tener mayor riesgo de desarrollar DC (AU)

Certain sociodemographic, functional and clinical factors have been associated to the prevalence of cognitive impairment (CI) among people older than 65 years old. Aim: To study the association between CI and sociodemographic and clinical factors in an urban sample older than 65 years old. Method: 327 participants from DERIVA Study older than 65 years old classified into the group without CI (n = 265) and with CI (n = 62). OARS-MFAQ, Katz Index and Charlson comorbidity Index to obtain sociodemographic, functional and comorbidity data. A logistic regression analysis to know risk factors of CI was performed. Results: Age (OR = 1.08; 95 % CI, 1.03-1.12; p < 0.01), anxiety-depression (OR = 3.47; 95 % CI, 1.61-7.51; p < 0.01) and diabetes (OR = 2.07; 95 % CI, 1.02-4.18; p = 0.04) were risk factors of CI, whereas years of education was a protector factor (OR = 0.79; 95 % IC, 0.70-0.90; p < 0.01). Conclusion: It’d be convenient to follow patients that present these factors related to anxietydepression and diabetes, since people older than 65 years old presenting them, can have more risk of developing CI (AU)

Rehabilitación Cognitiva en pacientes con Enfermedad de Alzheimer / Cognitive Rehabilitation in patients with Alzheimer's Disease

La enfermedad de Alzheimer ( EA) es una enfermedad crónica que se caracteriza por la presencia de síntomas cognitivos, problemas físicos y alteraciones emocionales y/o comportamentales. Actualmente más de 24 millones de personas en el mundo han sido diagnosticadas con EA, y se calcula que para 2040 el número será de 81 millones. El objetivo de este artículo es hacer una revisión detallada de las diferentes técnicas y/o tratamientos cognitivos que se han venido utilizando en la rehabilitación de las alteraciones cognitivas de personas con EA, así como de los estudios existentes que evalúan su eficacia. Los principales resultados de la revisión evidencian la aplicación de tratamientos cognitivos mediante técnicas como estimulación cognitiva, aprendizaje sin error, recuperación espaciada, imaginería visual, desvanecimiento de pistas y ayudas externas. La mayoría de tratamientos revisados utilizaron técnicas de manera combinada, las cuales se implementaron en etapas iniciales de la EA; varios de los estudios revisados demostraron el mantenimiento a largo plazo de las ganancias obtenidas en algunos tratamientos.

Alzheimer's disease ( AD) is a chronic illness characterized by the presence of cognitive and physical impairments and emotional and/or behavioral disturbances. Nowadays, over 24 million people around the world are diagnosed with AD and it is estimated that in 2040 this number will rise to 81 million. The objective of this article was to review in detail the different techniques and/or cognitive treatments that have been developed in the rehabilitation of cognitive impairments of population with AD, and the existing papers that test their efficacy. The main results evidence the use of techniques such as cognitive stimulation, errorless learning, spaced retrieval, visual imagery, vanishing cues and external aids. Most of the reviewed treatments used these techniques combined, with patients in the initial stages of AD; many of the papers reviewed demonstrated long term maintenance of the positive results of some treatments.

Deterioro cognitivo leve: detección temprana y nuevas perspectivas / Mild cognitive impairment: early detection and new perspectives

Introducción. En los últimos años ha habido un creciente interés en el estudio del deterioro cognitivo leve (DCL) y su detección temprana. A diferencia de las primeras teorías, tendencias actuales e internacionales de investigación nos sugieren que el DCL es un síndrome que se caracteriza por presentar alteración en una o más funciones cognitivas superiores, sin interferir en las habilidades funcionales de la vida diaria y acompañado de una preocupación por el cambio cognitivo producido. Aunque la detección temprana del DCL se suele realizar mediante tests de rastreo cognitivo, la mayoría de ellos no parecen detectar correctamente el DCL, a diferencia de la demencia. Objetivo. Exponer un análisis de las pruebas de rastreo cognitivo más recomendables para utilizar en la clínica habitual para la detección del DCL, basándose en las actuales tendencias de investigación. Desarrollo y conclusiones. Existen tres tipos de tests de rastreo cognitivo: los tests de rastreo generales, los de rastreo específico y los de rastreo de un subtipo de DCL. Observamos que la mayoría de los tests no se ajustan a los criterios de DCL actuales. En este sentido, proponemos la aplicación conjunta de tests, así como la necesidad de ser cautos en su elección, para poder detectar más eficazmente el DCL en la práctica clínica (AU)

Introduction. Along past years, interest in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) research and its early detection has been increased. Unlike first theories, international current proposals suggest that MCI is a syndrome characterized by an impairment in one or more cognitive functions without interfering in daily functional abilities and it is also accompanied by a concern because of the cognitive change. Although early MCI detection is usually made by cognitive screening tests, most of them do not seem to correctly detect MCI, but dementia. Aim. To expose an analysis of the cognitive screening tests more suitable for clinical MCI detection, according to current researches. Development and conclusions. There are three kind of cognitive screening tests: general cognitive screening tests, specific cognitive screening tests and MCI-subtype cognitive screening test. We observe that most of the tests don’t follow current MCI criteria. In this respect we propose to jointly apply tests, as well as the necessity of a carefully test choice to effectively detect MCI in clinical practice (AU)

The effect of cognitive impairment on self-generation in Hispanics with TBI.

The objective of this study was to determine the moderating effect of cognitive impairment (CI) on the usefulness of the generation effect to improve learning and memory in Hispanics with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Sixty-one Hispanic individuals with TBI (29 without CI, 22 with mild to moderate CI, and 10 with severe CI) and 44 healthy controls (HC) were required to remember the last word in each of 32 sentences. Target words were presented in a self-generated and provided condition. Recall and recognition were examined immediately, after 30 minutes, and at one week. Individuals remembered and recalled significantly more words in the generated condition than the provided condition, regardless of group or time. The self-generation technique equally benefitted all participants regardless of TBI status or degree of CI. Future cognitive rehabilitation programs designed to improve short-term recall and recognition in Hispanic individuals with TBI should include the self-generation technique. Further research into the longer-term effects of the generation effects is warranted.

Detection of mild cognitive impairment in people older than 65 years of age and its relationship to cardiovascular risk factors (DECRIVAM).

BACKGROUND: Studies centered on the detection of cognitive impairment and its relationship to cardiovascular risk factors in elderly people have gained special relevance in recent years. Knowledge of the cardiovascular risk factors that may be associated to cognitive impairment could be very useful for introducing treatments in early stages - thereby possibly contributing to improve patient quality of life.The present study explores cognitive performance in people over 65 years of age in Salamanca (Spain), with special emphasis on the identification of early symptoms of cognitive impairment, with the purpose of detecting mild cognitive impairment and of studying the relationships between this clinical situation and cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS/DESIGN: A longitudinal study is contemplated. The reference population will consist of 420 people over 65 years of age enrolled through randomized sampling stratified by healthcare area, and who previously participated in another study. MEASUREMENT: a) Sociodemographic variables; b) Cardiovascular risk factors; c) Comorbidity; d) Functional level for daily life activities; and e) Study of higher cognitive functions based on a neuropsychological battery especially adapted to the evaluation of elderly people. DISCUSSION: We hope that this study will afford objective information on the representative prevalence of cognitive impairment in the population over 65 years of age in Salamanca. We also hope to obtain data on the relationship between cognitive impairment and cardiovascular risk factors in this specific population group. Based on the results obtained, we also will be able to establish the usefulness of some of the screening tests applied during the study, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination and the 7 Minute Screen test. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01327196.

Rendimientos mnésicos en traumatismo craneoencefálico moderado al año / Mnesic performances one year after moderate traumatic brain injury

Las alteraciones raciones mnésicas han sido ampliamente estudiadas on traumatismo craneoencefálico (TCE) leve y severo, existiendo pocos datos en relación a los pacientes con TCE moderado. El objetivo es estudiar la existencia o no de alteraciones mnésicas en TCE moderado al año del traumatismo comparándolo con los rendimientos de sujetos adultos normales. Muestra: 28 sujetos adultos con TCE moderado y 28 sujetos normales con características demográficas similares. Material: Span de dígitos; Test de Aprendizaje Auditivo Verbal de Rey; Historia de Babcock; Test de Retención Visual de Benton y Figura Compleja de Rey de memoria. Análisis estadísticos, Anova de medidas repetidas. Los pacientes al año del traumatismo no alcanzan los patrones de normalidad en sus rendimientos en memoria verbal lógica demorada en un 60 por ciento, en un 57 por ciento en aprendizaje y en un 86 por ciento en la capacidad de retención auditiva verbal. En memoria visuoconstructiva y en memoria visuoespacial están dentro del rango de la normalidad el 64 por ciento y el 75 por ciento respectivamente. (AU)

Mnesic alterations have been largely studied in mild and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), but there are few data about patients with moderate TBI. Our objective is to study the existence of mnesic alterations in moderate TBI after one year in comparison with performance of normal adult subjects. Sample: 28 adult subjects with moderate TBI and 28 normal subjects with similar demographical characteristics. Material: Digit span; Rey’s Audio-verbal Learning Test; Babcock story; Benton’s Visual retention Test; and Re’y Complex figure. Statistical analyses: repeated measures Anova. One year after traumatic injury, patients dot not attain normal patters in their performances in logical, verbal memory, at 60%; at 57% in learning; and 86% in audio-verbal retention capacity. Visuocontractive memory and visuospatial memory are within the limits of normality, at 64% and 75% respectively (AU)

Aprendizaje verbal en el traumatismo craneoencefálico / Verbal learning in traumatic brain injury

Las dificultades en el aprendizaje, los déficits en la evocación de nueva información y la reducción del span son frecuentes en sujetos que han sufrido un traumatismo craneoneoencefálico (TCE) e incluso pueden persistir durante años. En este trabajo estudiamos la evocación inmediata, aprendizaje y recuerdo verbal, a través del aprendizaje de una lista de palabras (Test de aprendizaje auditivo verbal de Rey -TAVR -; Rey 1964) en pacientes que han sufrido un TCE, contemplando en el análisis la influencia de la evolución sobre los rendimientos, comparando los resultados obtenidos en el TAVR en diferentes momentos evolutivos (desde el ingreso hasta el año). Muestra: 100 sujetos adultos con TCE estudiados en cuatro momentos evolutivos y 1000 sujetos adultos normales con características demográficas similares. Análisis estadísticos: Anovas de medidas repetidas y prueba aposteriori Scheffe F-test. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que la capacidad para realizar tareas de evocación inmediata alcanza a partir de los seis meses los límites de la normalidad. Sin embargo, el aprendizaje verbal y la capacidad de retención del material, continúan alterados en los estudios realizados al año del TCE (AU)

Difficulties in learning, deficits in new information recall, and span reduction are recurrent in subjects who have incurred in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and may endure for years. In the present study, we have studied immediate recall, verbal learning and recollection, through the learning of a list of words (Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test - RAVLT - ; Rey 1964) in TBI patients. We have analysed the effects of evolution on performances, comparing results in RAVLT in different evolutionary stages (from clinic intake to one year following TBI). Sample: 100 adult subjects with TBI studied in 4 evolutionary stages and 100 normal adult subjects with similar demographic characteristics. Statistical analysis: repeated measure Anovas and a posteriori Scheffe F-test. The results show that the ability to perform immediate recall tasks reaches a normal level after six months. Verbal learning and material retention ability, however, are still altered in studies one year after TBI (AU)