Degree Name

BA

Department

Neuroscience

College

Life Sciences

Defense Date

2022-12-02

Publication Date

2022-12-08

First Faculty Advisor

Dr. Derin Cobia

First Faculty Reader

Dr. Tricia Merkley

Honors Coordinator

Rebekka Matheson

Keywords

pediatric, brain injury, thalamus, basal ganglia, theory of mind, social outcomes

Abstract

Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global issue with major health consequences. The integrity of brain structures and their social functional correlates are at risk in children with TBI. In this study, magnetic resonance images of the thalamus, caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus were examined in a pediatric TBI group from the Social Outcomes of Brain Injury in Kids (SOBIK). Shape deformations of these structures were compared to an orthopedically injured (OI) control. Additionally, the correlation between shape deformation and theory of mind (ToM) measures were mapped and compared. This study found inward deformations in the ventral thalamic nuclei in the TBI group compared to OI. Significant correlations between shape deformations and ToM scores were found in all structures of the OI group. In the TBI group, correlations were present primarily in the globus pallidus. These findings suggest that the recruitment of these structures for ToM-related tasks differs in this group of TBI and OI participants.

Download

Share

COinS