The communicative and congnitive deficits following closed-head injury

Abstract

The communicative and cognitive deficits of three closed-head injured patients were investigated within the framework of language form, language use, and cognitive ability. A battery of tests was administered and results indicated a degree of cognitive impairment in all subjects. The balance between the language form and language use skills was subject-specific. These findings supported the current view of heterogeneity within the closed-head injured population as well as the view that a language disorder may result from an underlying cognitive deficit. The results are discussed in the light of the existing literature on head injury. The theoretical and clinical implications are considered.