Brain temperature and its relation to cognitive status in traumatic brain injury: a whole-brain magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging study

Motivation: The long-term outcome, i.e., the impact of injury on life, may be underestimated in patients with mild-to-moderate TBI. Cognitive deficit, a sequela of TBI and a significant social burden, is difficult to assess in uncooperative patients. Goal(s): To compare brain temperature between control and TBI groups, and to assess the relationship between brain temperature and cognitive status in TBI group. Approach: Brain temperature of patients was estimated noninvasively by WB-MRSI and compared to controls; the association between brain temperature and cognitive status was also assessed in the TBI group. Results: Significant brain temperature reductions in the TBI group were associated with cognitive decline. Impact: The strong correlation between brain temperature and cognitive performance in the TBI group indicates that attention decreases as brain temperature decreases. Brain temperature may become as a quantitative indicator of cognitive status in patients with subacute to chronic TBI.