Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

A round-up of the ONWARDS phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the novel weekly insulin icodec in people with diabetes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
Published in: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports 9/2018

01-09-2018 | Neurotrauma (D Sandsmark, Section Editor)

Sensory Sensitivity in TBI: Implications for Chronic Disability

Authors: Megan L. Callahan, Miranda M. Lim

Published in: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports | Issue 9/2018

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review investigates the relationship between sensory sensitivity and traumatic brain injury (TBI), and the role sensory sensitivity plays in chronic disability.

Recent Findings

TBI is a significant cause of disability with a range of physical, cognitive, and mental health consequences. Sensory sensitivities (e.g., noise and light) are among the most frequently reported, yet least outwardly recognizable symptoms following TBI. Clinicians and scientists alike have yet to identify consistent nomenclature for defining noise and light sensitivity, making it difficult to accurately and reliably assess their influence. Noise and light sensitivity can profoundly affect critical aspects of independent function including communication, productivity, socialization, cognition, sleep, and mental health.

Summary

Research examining the prevalence of sensory sensitivity and evidence for the association of sensory sensitivity with TBI is inconclusive. Evidence-based interventions for sensory sensitivity, particularly following TBI, are lacking.
Literature
1.
Carroll LJ, Cassidy JD, Peloso PM, Borg J, von Holst H, Holm L, et al. Prognosis for mild traumatic brain injury: results of the WHO Collaborating Centre Task Force on mild traumatic brain injury. J Rehab Med. 2004;36:84–105.CrossRef
2.
3.
4.
Terrio H, Brenner LA, Ivins BJ, Cho JM, Helmick K, Schwab K, et al. Traumatic brain injury screening: preliminary findings in a US Army Brigade combat team. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2009;24(1):14–23.CrossRefPubMed
5.
Lovell MR, Collins MW, Podell K, Powell J, Maroon J. ImPACT: immediate post-concussion assessment and cognitive testing. Pittsburgh, PA: NeuroHealth Systems, LLC; 2000.
6.
McCrory P, Meeuwisse W, Aubry M, Cantu R, Dvorak J, Echemendia RJ, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 4th International Conference on Concussion in Sport held in Zurich, November 2012. Brit J Sports Med. 2013;47:250–8.CrossRef
7.
•• Callahan ML, Binder LM, O’Neil ME, Zaccari B, Roost MS, Golshan S, et al. Sensory sensitivity in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans with and without blast exposure and mild traumatic brain injury. Appl Neuropsychol: Adult. 2016;24:1–11. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1080/​23279095.​2016.​1261867. This study is the first to identify a unique relationship between mild TBI and sensory sensitivity after controlling for psychiatric distress.
8.
Lew HL, Garvert DW, Pogoda TK, Hsu PT, Devine JM, White DK, et al. Auditory and visual impairments in patients with blast-related traumatic brain injury: effect of dual sensory impairment on functional independence measure. J Rehab Res Dev. 2009;46(6):819–26.CrossRef
9.
Pogoda TK, Hendricks AM, Iverson KM, Stolzmann KL, Krengel MH, Baker E, et al. Multisensory impairment reported by veterans with and without mild traumatic brain injury history. J Rehab Res Dev. 2012;49(7):971–84.CrossRef
10.
Job RF. Noise sensitivity as a factor influencing human reaction to noise. Noise Health. 1999;1(3):57–68.PubMed
11.
12.
Chang TT, Ciuffreda KJ, Kapoor N. Critical flicker frequency and related symptoms in mild traumatic brain injury. Brain Inj. 2007;21:1055–62.CrossRefPubMed
13.
Digre KB, Brennan KC. Shedding light on photophobia. J Neuroophth. 2012;32:68–81.CrossRef
14.
Lew HL, et al. Dual sensory impairment (DSI) in traumatic brain injury (TBI)—an emerging interdisciplinary challenge. Neuro Rehab. 2010;26:213–22.
15.
16.
Cicerone KD, Kalmar K. Persistent postconcussion syndrome: the structure of subjective complaints after mild traumatic brain injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 1995;10(3):1–17.CrossRef
17.
18.
Weinstein ND. Individual differences in reactions to noise: a longitudinal study in a college dormitory. J App Psych. 1978;63:458–66.CrossRef
19.
20.
Smith A. The concept of noise sensitivity: implications for noise control. Noise Health. 2003;5:57–9.PubMed
21.
22.
•• Kliuchko M, Heinonen-Guzejev M, Vuust P, Tervaniemi M, Brattico E. A window into the brain mechanisms associated with noise sensitivity. Sci Rep. 2016;6 https://​doi.​org/​10.​1038/​srep39236. The authors used a physiological approach to study the brain mechanisms associated with noise sensitivity, which correctly identified central auditory response patterns experienced by noise-sensitive individuals.
23.
Aguilar MC, Gonzalez A, Rowaan C, Lee W, de Freitas C, Alawa K, et al. BPEI photosensitivity tester: instrument design and test results in healthy subjects. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014;55:4108.
24.
Heinonen-Guzejev, M. (2008). Noise sensitivity–medical, psychological and genetic aspects.
25.
Heinonen-Guzejev M, Vuorinen HS, Mussalo-Rauhamaa H, Heikkila K, Koskenvuo M, Kaprio J. Genetic component of noise sensitivity. Twin Res Hum Genet. 2005;8:245–9.CrossRefPubMed
26.
Kashluba S, Paniak C, Blake T, Reynolds S, Toller-Lobe G, Nagy J. A longitudinal, controlled study of patient complaints following treated mild traumatic brain injury. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2004;19(6):805–16.CrossRefPubMed
27.
Dikmen S, Machamer J, Fann JR, Temkin NR. Rates of symptom reporting following traumatic brain injury. J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2010;16(3):401–11.CrossRefPubMed
28.
Bulson R, Jun W, Hayes J. Visual symptomatology and referral patterns for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans with traumatic brain injury. JRRD. 2012;49:1075–82.CrossRef
29.
Capo-Aponte JE, Urosevich TG, Temme LA, Tarbett AK, Sanghera NK. Visual dysfunctions and symptoms during the subacute stage of blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury. Mil Med. 2012;177:804–13.CrossRefPubMed
30.
31.
Stelmack JA, Frith T, Van Koevering D, Rinne S, Stelmack TR. Visual function in patients followed at a Veteran Affairs polytrauma network site: an electronic medical record review. Optometry. 2009;80:419–24.CrossRefPubMed
32.
•• Elliott J, Opel RA, Chau AQ, Weymann KB, Callahan ML, Storzbach D, & Lim MM. Sleep disturbances in TBI: associations with sensory sensitivity. J Clin Sleep Med. 2018 epub ahead of print. The authors report a high rate of sleep dysfunction in patients with sensory sensitivity, and link PTSD autonomic arousal to sensory sensitivity using an overnight sleep study. This is the first study to examine the relationship between sensory sensitivity and sleep in a TBI population.
33.
Lew HL, Pogoda TK, Baker E, Stolzmann KL, Meterko M, Cifu DX, et al. Prevalence of dual sensory impairment and its association with traumatic brain injury and blast exposure in OEF/OIF veterans. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2011;26(6):489–96.CrossRefPubMed
34.
Chafi MS, Karami G, Ziejewski M. Biomechanical assessment of brain dynamic responses due to blast pressure waves. Ann Biomed Eng. 2010;38(2):490–504.CrossRefPubMed
35.
Taber KH, Warden DL, Hurley RA. Blast-related traumatic brain injury: what is known? J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2006;18:141–5.CrossRefPubMed
36.
Iverson GL. Outcome from mild traumatic brain injury. Cur Op Psychiatry. 2005;18:301–17.CrossRef
37.
Myers PJ, Wilmington DJ, Gallun FJ, Henry JA, Fausti SA. Hearing impairment and traumatic brain injury among soldiers: special considerations for the audiologist. Sem Hearing. 2009;30(1):5–27.CrossRef
38.
Nields JA, Fallon BA, Jastreboff PJ. Carbamazepine in the treatment of Lyme disease-induced hyperacusis. J Neuropsychiatrcy Clin Neurosci. 1999;11:97–9.CrossRef
39.
Gallun FJ, Diedesch AC, Kubli LR, Walden TC, Folmer RL, Lewis MS, et al. Performance on tests of central auditory processing by individuals exposed to high-intensity blasts. JRRD. 2012;49(7):1005–24.CrossRef
40.
41.
42.
Yi JH, Hazell AS. Excitotoxic mechanisms and the role of astrocytic glutamate transporters in traumatic brain injury. Neurochem Int. 2006;48:394–403.CrossRefPubMed
43.
Shively SB, Horkayne-Szakaly I, Jones RV, Kelly JP, Armstrong RC, Perl DP. Characterization of interface astrological scarring in the human brain after blast exposure: a post-mortem case series. Lancet Neurol. 2016;15:944–53.CrossRefPubMed
44.
Niogi SN, Mukerjee P. Diffusion tensor imaging of mild traumatic brain injury. JHTR. 2010;25:241–55.PubMed
45.
Kaas JH. The evolution of the complex sensory and motor systems of the human brain. Brain Res Bull. 2008;75:384–90.CrossRefPubMed
46.
47.
Du T, Ciuffreda KJ, Kapoor N. Elevated dark adaptation thresholds in traumatic brain injury. Brain Inj. 2005;19:1125–38.CrossRefPubMed
48.
Kapoor N, Ciuffreda K. Vision deficits following acquired brain injury. In: Cristian A, editor. Medical management of adults with neurologic disabilities. New York (NY): Demos Medical Publishing; 2009. p. 407–23.
49.
Mesulam MM. The human frontal lobes: transcending the default mode through contingent encoding. In: Principles of frontal lobe function; 2002. p. 8–30.CrossRef
50.
Wolf JA, Koch PF. Disruption of network synchrony and cognitive dysfunction after traumatic brain injury. Front Syst Neurosci. 2016;10
51.
Barnes DE, Byers AL, Gardner RC, Seal KH, Boscardin WJ, Yaffe K. Association of mild traumatic brain injury with and without loss of consciousness with dementia in US military veterans. JAMA Neurology. 2018;
52.
53.
Fleminger S, Oliver DL, Lovestone S, Rabe-Hesketh S, Giora A. Head injury as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease: the evidence 10 years on; a partial replication. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003;74:857–62.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
54.
Goldman SM, Tanner CM, Oakes D, Bhudhikanok GS, Gupta A, Langston JW. Head injury and Parkinson’s disease risk in twins. Ann Neurol. 2006;60(1):65–72.CrossRefPubMed
55.
Jafari S, Etminan M, Aminzadeh F, Samii A. Head injury and risk of Parkinson disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Movement disorders: Official Journal of the Movement Disorder Society. 2013;28(9):1222–9.CrossRef
56.
Kalkonde YV, Jawaid A, Qureshi SU, Shirani P, Wheaton M, Pinto-Patarroyo GP, et al. Medical and environmental risk factors associated with frontotemporal dementia: a case-control study in a veteran population. Alzheimer’s & dementia: the journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. 2012;8(3):204–10.CrossRef
57.
Mortimer JA, van Duijn CM, Chandra V, Fratiglioni L, Graves AB, Heyman A, et al. Head trauma as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease: a collaborative re-analysis of case-control studies. EURODEM Risk Factors Research Group. Int J Epidemiol. 1991;20:S28–35.CrossRefPubMed
58.
Rosso SM, Landweer EJ, Houterman M, Donker Kaat L, van Duijn CM, van Swieten JC. Medical and environmental risk factors for sporadic frontotemporal dementia: a retrospective case-control study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003;74(11):1574–6.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
59.
Barnfield TV, Leathem JM. Neuropsychological outcomes of traumatic brain injury and substance abuse in a New Zealand prison population. Brain Inj. 1998;12:951–62.CrossRefPubMed
60.
Belanger HG, Kretzmer T, Yoash-Gantz R, Pickett T, Tupler LA. Cognitive sequelae of blast-related versus other mechanisms of brain trauma. JINS. 2009;15:1–8.PubMed
61.
Brenner LA, Ivins BJ, Schwab K, Warden D, Nelson LA, Jaffee M, et al. Traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, and postconcussive symptom reporting among troops returning from Iraq. JHTR. 2010;25(5):307–12.PubMed
62.
Millis SR, Rosenthal M, Novack TA, Sherer M, Nick TG, Kreutzer JS, et al. Long-term neuropsychological outcome after traumatic brain injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2001;16:343–55.CrossRefPubMed
63.
Belanger HG, Curtiss G, Demery JA, Lebowitz BK, Vanderploeg RD. Factors moderating neuropsychological outcomes following mild traumatic brain injury: a meta-analysis. JINS. 2005;11:215–27.PubMed
64.
Schretlen DJ, Shapiro AM. A quantitative review of the effects of traumatic brain injury on cognitive functioning. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2003;15:341–9.CrossRefPubMed
65.
Vanderploeg RD, Curtiss G, Belanger HG. Long-term neuropsychological outcomes following mild traumatic brain injury. J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2005;11:228–36.CrossRefPubMed
66.
Zakzanis, KK, et al. (1999). Mild traumatic brain injury. In Neuropsychological differential diagnosis (pp. 163–171). Exton, Pennsylvania: Swets & Zeitlinger.
67.
Baltes PB, Lindenberger U. Emergence of a powerful connection between sensory and cognitive functions across the adult life span: a new window to the study of cognitive aging? Psych & Ag. 1997;12:12–21.CrossRef
68.
69.
Jelinkova Z, Picek M, Hyncica V. Psychophysiological aspects of noise influence. Int J Psychophysiol. 1989;7:249–50.CrossRef
70.
Reuben DB, Mui S, Damesyn M, Moore AA, Greendale GA. The prognostic value of sensory impairment in older persons. J Am Ger Soc. 1999;47:930–5.CrossRef
71.
Pinto PC, Marcelos CM, Mezzasalma MA, Osterne FJ, de Melo Tavares de Lima MA, Nardi AE. Tinnitus and its association with psychiatric disorders: systematic review. J Laryngol Otol. 2014;128(8):660–4.CrossRefPubMed
72.
73.
Stansfeld SA, Shipley M. Noise sensitivity and future risk of illness and mortality. Sci Total Enviro. 2015;520:114–9.CrossRef
74.
75.
Hallberg LRM, Hallberg U, Johansson M, Jansson G, Wilberg A. Daily living with hyperacusis due to head injury 1 year after a treatment programme at the hearing clinic. Scand J Caring Sci. 2005;19:410–8.CrossRefPubMed
76.
77.
• Callahan ML, Storzbach D. Sensory sensitivity and posttraumatic stress disorder in blast exposed veterans with mild traumatic brain injury. App Neuro. 2018; https://​doi.​org/​10.​1080/​23279095.​2018.​1433179. This study analyses the role PTSD symptoms play in maintaining sensory sensitivity. It is critically important for polytrauma rehabilitation.
78.
Hoge CW, McGurk D, Thomas JL, Cox AL, Engel CC, Castro CA. Mild traumatic brain injury in US soldiers returning from Iraq. NEJM. 2008;358:453–63.CrossRefPubMed
79.
Goodrich GL, Martinsen GL, Flyg HM, Kirby J, Garvert DW, Tyler CW. Visual function, traumatic brain injury, and posttraumatic stress disorder. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2014;51(4):547–58.CrossRefPubMed
80.
Al-Ozairi A, McCullagh S, Feinstein A. Predicting posttraumatic stress symptoms following mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injury: the role of posttraumatic amnesia. JHTR. 2015;30:283–90.PubMed
81.
Warren L, Wrigley JM, Yoels WC, Fine PR. Factors associated with life satisfaction among a sample of persons with neurotrauma. JRRD. 1996;33:404–8.
82.
Corrigan JD, Bogner JA, Mysiw WJ, Clinchot D, Fugate L. Life satisfaction after traumatic brain injury. JHTR. 2001;16:543–55.PubMed
83.
84.
Wahl HW, Schilling O, Oswald F, Heyl V. Psychosocial consequences of age-related visual impairment: comparison with mobility-impaired older adults and long-term outcome. J Ger: Psych Sci. 1999;54B:P304–16.
85.
Branch LG, Horowitz A, Carr C. The implications for everyday life of incident self-reported visual decline among people over age 65 living in the community. Gerontologist. 1989;29:359–65.CrossRefPubMed
86.
Rudberg MA, Furner SE, Dunn JE, Cassel CK. The relationship of visual and hearing impairments to disability: an analysis using the longitudinal study on aging. J Gerontol. 1993;48:M261–5.CrossRefPubMed
87.
Dischinger PC, Ryb GE, Kufera JA, Auman KM. Early predictors of postconcussive syndrome in a population of trauma patients with mild traumatic brain injury. J Trauma Injury Infection Crit Care. 2009;66(2):289–97.CrossRef
88.
Marks A, Griefahn B. Associations between noise sensitivity and sleep, subjectively evaluated sleep quality, annoyance, and performance after exposure to nocturnal traffic noise. Noise Health. 2007;9:1–7.CrossRefPubMed
89.
Smith A, Nutt D, Wilson S, Rich N, Hayward S, & Heatherley S. Noise and insomnia: a study of community noise exposure, sleep disturbance, noise sensitivity, and subjective reports of health. Report to the UK Department of Health and Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions. 2002
90.
91.
Waye KP, Bengtsson J, Rylander R, Hucklebridge F, Evans P, Clow A. Low frequency noise enhances cortisol among noise sensitive subjects during work performance. Life Sci. 2002;70:745–58.CrossRefPubMed
92.
Valente M, Goebel J, Duddy D, Sinks B, Peterein J. Evaluation and treatment of severe hyperacusis. J Am Acad Audiol. 2000;11:295–9.PubMed
93.
Gallin PF, Terman M, Reme CE, Rafferty B, Terman JS, Burde RM. Ophthalmologic examination of patients with seasonal affective disorder, before and after bright light therapy. Am J Ophthalmol. 1999;119:202–10.CrossRef
94.
95.
Bengtzen R, Woodward M, Lynn MJ, Newman NJ, Biousse V. The “sunglasses sign” predicts nonorganic visual loss in neuro-ophthalmologic practice. Neurology. 2008;70(3):218–21.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Sensory Sensitivity in TBI: Implications for Chronic Disability
Authors
Megan L. Callahan
Miranda M. Lim
Publication date
01-09-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports / Issue 9/2018
Print ISSN: 1528-4042
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6293
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-018-0867-x

Other articles of this Issue 9/2018

Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports 9/2018 Go to the issue

Headache (R B Halker, Section Editor)

Photophobia: When Light Hurts, a Review

Sleep (M Thorpy and M Billiard, Section Editors)

Neuroimaging in the Kleine-Levin Syndrome

Sleep (M Thorpy and M Billiard, Section Editors)

Cerebral Metabolic Changes During Sleep

Dementia (K S Marder, Section Editor)

Viral Hypothesis and Antiviral Treatment in Alzheimer’s Disease

Headache (R B Halker, Section Editor)

Secondary Headaches in Children and Adolescents: What Not to Miss

Stroke (H Diener, Section Editor)

Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke: Recent Insights and Future Directions