NeuroTalk Support Groups - MRI/DTI images of fractional anisotropy or FA

Quote:

Comparing the DTI data to the patient questionnaires, the researchers found that the presence of abnormally high FA was a predictor of fewer post-concussion symptoms and higher functioning. The results suggest that in patients who exhibit areas of high FA on DTI, the brain may be actively compensating for its injuries.

"These results offer us a new opportunity for treatment by finding ways to enhance the brain's compensatory mechanisms." Dr. Lipton said.

I've read other research finding that in PCS subjects unusual areas show up on functional MRI scans during cognitive tasks, even when performance is as good as that of a control group. The hypothesis was the same as in this article, that the mTBI brain is compensating for its shortcomings by becoming more active in other areas that a 'healthy' brain wouldn't need to use so much.

Similar findings have come from studies of brain function in elderly people.

One of the lessons I take from this is that those of us who reach a plateau, even if it feels like a 'full recovery', would do well to maintain our brain health regimens for life - our recovery may have had as much to do with compensatory mechanisms as with brain healing, and as we age these mechanisms are likely to come under increasing strain due to the normal ageing process (or indeed future head impacts), putting us at an increased risk of dementia-type symptoms.

So if you find that certain lifestyle changes are improving your health, stick with them!