Shown above are the contrasts resulting from the analyses using randomise. These contrasts represent the mean cortical thickness for both groups in the data set. Using fslview, the templates created were overlayed with statistical results and then threshold for significance (using p < 0.05). When these images were view using fslview, there was no significant difference in the mean cortical thickness for these two groups.

Discussion

There was no significant different found between the mean cortical thickness in the subjects who had experienced TBI and the controls who had not. This leads to the conclusion that cortical thickness is not overtly affected by traumatic brain injury in children ages 10-18. The next step in this research would be to follow a group of subjects through a longitudinal study to see if there are visible and significant differences in cortical thickness in relation to the cognitive outcome of the patient. We were limited in our access to cognitive testing data, but this, as well as repeat scanning years later, would increase the implications that could be drawn from this type of study.

References

    Bigler, E. D., Weiner, M., & Lipton, A. (2009). Traumatic brain injury. Textbook of Alzheimer Disease and Other Dementias, 229-246.
    Parikh, S., Koch, M., & Narayan, R. K. (2007). Traumatic brain injury. International anesthesiology clinics45(3), 119-135.