Neurobehavioral recovery.

This review discusses recent programs in early and late neurobehavioral recovery from closed head injury (CHI). The research on early recovery has encompassed the relationship of localized brain lesions to the duration of impaired consciousness and features of posttraumatic amnesia. Of the research on late neurobehavioral outcome of CHI, studies emanating from the Traumatic Coma Data Bank are reviewed in detail, including analysis of acute neurologic indices in relation to recovery of memory, information processing speed, and other cognitive measures. Recent studies concerning the neurobehavioral outcome of CHI in children are discussed as are investigations of behavioral disturbance, psychosocial outcome, and family variables. The review concludes with an assessment of recent studies concerning the efficacy of rehabilitation directed toward the cognitive sequelae of CHI and preliminary trials to evaluate the potential use of psychoactive drugs in the postacute management of head injured patients.