Understanding the underlying cognitive mechanisms of prospective memory in mild traumatic head injury

Abstract

Prospective memory has been defined as remembering to perform a future intention and is crucial for independent functioning. Prospective memory functioning has been theorized to be multidimensional in nature, supported by a range of cognitive abilities. Studies have shown that after a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), patients experience impairments in areas of attention, verbal learning and memory, and processing speed which usually resolve by 3 months post injury. However, no study has explored prospective memory capacity in MTBI fully. In this thesis, prospective memory functioning is studied in both the acute stages (within a month post injury) and post-acute stages (3 months later) of MTBI. Also, prospective memory changes within this 2 time points is examined in relationship to the trends of improvements in other cognitive domains to elucidate the underlying mechanisms that are involved in prospective memory functioning.