Depression and cognitive complaints following mild traumatic brain injury

Am J Psychiatry. 2009 Jun;166(6):653-61. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2009.08111676.

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common occurrence with multiple possible neuropsychiatric sequelae, including problems with cognition, emotion, and behavior. While many individuals experience significant improvement over the first months following mild TBI, a nontrivial minority will develop persistent, functionally impairing post-TBI symptoms. Depression and cognitive impairment are among the most common such symptoms, and they may respond to a combination of rehabilitative and pharmacologic treatments. This article discusses the clinical approach to treating an individual with depression and cognitive complaints following mild TBI. Recommendations regarding the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of these problems are offered.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / adverse effects
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / therapeutic use
  • Brain / anatomy & histology
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Brain Injuries / complications*
  • Brain Injuries / physiopathology
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / therapeutic use
  • Choline / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Citalopram / adverse effects
  • Citalopram / therapeutic use
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology*
  • Cognition Disorders / therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / drug therapy
  • Depression / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Methylphenidate / therapeutic use
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Sertraline / adverse effects
  • Sertraline / therapeutic use
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Citalopram
  • Methylphenidate
  • Choline
  • Sertraline