The mentalizing network and theory of mind mediate adjustment after childhood traumatic brain injury.

ABSTRACT: Childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects over 600 000 children per year in the United States. Following TBI, children are vulnerable to deficits in psychosocial adjustment and neurocognition, including social cognition, which persist long-term. They are also susceptible to direct and secondary damage to related brain networks. In this study, we examine whether brain morphometry of the mentalizing network (MN) and theory of mind (ToM; one component of social cognition) mediates the effects of TBI on adjustment. Children with severe TBI (n = 15, Mage = 10.32), complicated mild/moderate TBI (n = 30, Mage = 10.81) and orthopedic injury (OI; n = 42, Mage = 10.65) completed measures of ToM and executive function and underwent MRI; parents rated children's psychosocial adjustment. Children

SUBMITTER: Hoskinson KR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7137721 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature