Nonimpact brain injury: Grounds for clinical study of the neuropsychological effects of acceleration forces

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Abstract
Individuals subjected to acceleration forces in motor vehicle accidents often exhibit the postconcussive syndrome and, upon examination, neuropsychological impairment. Brain injury and particular variables relating to nonimpact intracranial brain movement are reviewed. Brain injury in man can occur through exposure to acceleration forces without direct impact to the head or loss of consciousness. Hence, there are clear grounds for the neuropsychological study of victims of acceleration forces. Moreover, as with mild head injury, adequate regard for the variables of age, previous head injury, premorbid adaptive ability, socioeconomic status, motivation, and test sensitivity may assist in clarifying the specific problems in adaptation encountered by this clinical population. Clinical experience suggests that acceleration forces adversely affect attention (especially at older age levels), learning, and conceptual flexibility.

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