Intellectual Impairment in Head Injuries

Cognitive recovery after severe head injury. 1. Serial testing on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.

“…Apart from a handful of pioneering studies (Conkey, 1938;Ruesch and Moore, 1943;Ruesch, 1944;Tooth, 1947), psychologists have preferred to study the effects of localized brain lesions rather than the diffuse damage resulting from the acceleration-deceleration effects of head injuries. And even these early studies are handicapped by vague or poorly standardized criteria of intellectual function, as well as often being restricted to patients with relatively mild injuries.…”

Recognition memory, and head injury

“…This is particularly true in the case of cognitive deficits, with the exception of relatively few papers (Conkey, 1938;Ruesch, 1944;Carlsson et al, 1968;Russell, 1971). The samples used by both Conkey and Ruesch appear to have been restricted to lower social class patients who suffered mild injuries.…”

Impairment of memory functions after acute head injury

“…Comprehensive studies of memory functioning after head injury using both case histories and objective test procedures have been conducted (Schilder, 1934;Ruesch, 1944;Dailey, 1956;Chronholm and Jonsson, 1957), showing varied results. The research suggests that in the more confused state immediately after injury, perception of events is impaired.…”