Intelligence across the seventh decade in patients with brain injuries acquired in young adulthood

• Published in: Trends in neuroscience and education 2018-12, Vol.13, p.1-7
• Main Authors: Cohen-Zimerman, Shira, Salvi, Carola, Krueger, Frank, Gordon, Barry, Grafman, Jordan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exacerbated cognitive decline; Intelligence; Penetrating traumatic brain injury
• ISSN: 2211-9493; 2452-0837; 2211-9493
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tine.2018.08.001

In this longitudinal study we tested for potential predictors and correlates of late midlife intelligence, as well as any recent change in score over the seventh decade, in veterans who suffered a penetrating traumatic brain injury (pTBI) during combat in Vietnam. Intelligence level was assessed in pTBI patients (n = 120), as well as matched Vietnam combat 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 time points over the following 45 years. The pTBI group had lower intelligence scores than the control group when evaluated at fifteen years post-injury but those differences remained stable across subsequent time points. 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.