Volume 40 · Number 11
NOVEMBER 2010
Evaluation and Management of Posttraumatic Cognitive Impairments
Psychiatr Ann. 2010 November;40(11):540-552
By David B. Arciniegas, MD; Kimberly L. Frey, MS, CCC-SLP; Jody Newman, MA, CCC-SLP; Hal S. Wortzel, MD
Cognitive impairments are common consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI). In the early and late postinjury periods, impairments of arousal, speed of information processing, attention, working memory, episodic memory, language and social communication, and executive functioning are common. Cognitive impairments contribute to disability among people with TBI and are potentially substantial sources of suffering for people with TBI and their families.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
David B. Arciniegas, MD, is with the Neurobehavioral Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO; and the Behavioral Neurology Section, Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine. Kimberly L. Frey, MS, CCC-SLP; and Jody Newman, MA, CCC-SLP, are with the Neurobehavioral Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine. Hal S. Wortzel, MD, is with the Neurobehavioral Disorders Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine; and the VISN-19 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Address correspondence to: David B. Arciniegas, MD, FANPA, CBIST, UC-SOM, Neurobehavioral Disorders Program, 13001 East 17th Place, Campus Box F546, Aurora, CO 80045; or fax: 303-724-3594; or e-mail: [email protected].
Dr. Arciniegas; Ms. Frey; Ms. Newman; and Dr. Wortzel have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
This work was supported in part by National Institutes of Health (grants NICHD R01 HD047242-04 and NICHD 5R01 HD047242-04S1) and the Veterans Health Administration VISN-19 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC).
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
- Review the differential diagnosis of cognitive problems among people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
- State the course of recovery after TBI, including the stages of posttraumatic encephalopathy and anticipated long-term outcomes associated with mild and moderate-to-severe injuries.
- Apply pharmacologic and rehabilitative interventions to the care of patients with posttraumatic cognitive impairments.
This CME activity is primarily targeted to patient-caring physicians specializing in psychiatry. Physicians can receive AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ by reading the CME articles in Psychiatric Annals and successfully completing the quiz at the end of the articles. Complete instructions are given subsequently. Educational objectives are found at the beginning of each CME article.
CME ACCREDITATION
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of Vindico Medical Education and Psychiatric Annals. Vindico Medical Education is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Vindico Medical Education designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
FULL DISCLOSURE POLICY
In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education's Standards for Commercial Support, all CME providers are required to disclose to the activity audience the relevant financial relationships of the planners, teachers, and authors involved in the development of CME content. An individual has a relevant financial relationship if he or she has a financial relationship in any amount occurring in the last 12 months with a commercial interest whose products or services are discussed in the CME activity content over which the individual has control. Relationship information appears at the beginning of each CME-accredited article in this issue.
UNLABELED AND INVESTIGATIONAL USAGE
The audience is advised that this continuing medical education activity may contain references to unlabeled uses of FDA-approved products or to products not approved by the FDA for use in the United States. The faculty members have been made aware of their obligation to disclose such usage.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR STATEMENTS
All opinions expressed by authors and quoted sources are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, publishers, or editorial boards of Psychiatric Annals or its employees, Vindico Medical Education or its employees, or the University of New Mexico. The acceptance of advertising in no way implies endorsement by the editors, publishers, or editorial boards of Psychiatric Annals.
The material presented at or in any Psychiatric Annals or Vindico Medical Education continuing education activity does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Vindico Medical Education or Psychiatric Annals. Neither Psychiatric Annals, Vindico Medical Education, nor the faculty endorse or recommend any techniques, commercial products, or manufacturers. The faculty/authors may discuss the use of materials and/or products that have not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Articles are intended for informational purposes only and should not be used as the basis of patient treatment. All readers and continuing education participants should verify all information before treating patients or utilizing any product.
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INSTRUCTIONS
- Review the stated learning objectives of the CME articles and determine if these objectives match your individual learning needs. You must read each of the CME articles in this issue carefully in order to take the quiz. Do not neglect the tables and other illustrative materials as they have been selected to enhance your knowledge and understanding.
- The cost of taking the CME quiz is $25; you must pay this fee prior to completing the quiz online.
- The quiz questions have been designed to provide a useful link between the CME articles in the issue and your everyday practice. Read each question and choose the correct answer by checking the box next to your desired answer.
- After you answer all questions, your quiz is graded. A score of at least 80% is required to pass
- If you passed the quiz, you will receive by mail a CME certificate of within 4 to 6 weeks. If you failed the quiz, you may retake the quiz at another time by returning to the CME articles and then registering again for the quiz.
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