Just found out that a DTI scan in London costs £2000! Is it cheaper anywhere else?

[RJAnderson]

Anyone had a DTI scan?

[pinkvision]

Hi, a DTI scan is only effective in the acute phase of axonal injury which is in the first 6 months after your head injury. It shows the fluid leaking from axons, however the glial cells clear up cellular detritus and makes repairs around the damaged areas which stops the leaking fluid. After 4-6 months following injury the process is complete which means a DTI scan will not show anything relating to your injury. These are a few things to consider if you are going to be spending thousands of pounds.

If you are looking to find functional issues get a neuropsychology test (not an opinion but tests).

DTI scans only show leaking fluid but can't determine what functions the damage relates to.

DTI scans should be become mainstream for medical and legal head injury cases in the next 10 years.

[RJAnderson in reply to pinkvision]

Thank you so much, PinkVision, I'm glad I didn't waste anymore time pursuing that. And thanks for advice regarding the test. I'm looking for a neurologist with expertise in TBI, I'll ask if they can do that test. Very helpful!

What level was the thesis you recently completed? Masters? PhD? I'm supposed to be doing a PhD but I can't. My university allows a co-author so someone else is working on my PhD whilst I recover, but it's only 25% of the word length.

[pinkvision in reply to RJAnderson]

Hi don't waste your time with a neurologist, they deal with acute issues ie the meat and fluid of the brain, go see a neuropsychologist because they deal with function. You need to do the 'Battery Test' to find your cognitive dysfunctions. Remember if you have sensory problems you will need to get these sorted first because if your sensory processing is dysfunctional any cognitive tests are contaminated. In other words they will not know whether your issues are sensory or cognitive in nature.

The flow of information in the brain is sensory first, then mood, then emotional then cognitive.

I did a part time MSc over three years.

There's no way I could have done full time.

You may want to see if you can finish your PhD on a part time basis.

Also my master's was about my lived experience where I worked out what was going on with my functioning in response to trialing potential neuroplasticity exercises. The difference was measured through neuropsychology tests conducted via the NHS which were independent of the academic study. I'll be going through the whole process on my Youtube channel once it's up and running.

I've built a website which will be live soon. I've had to refurbish a bedroom into a filming studio, the lighting is ready and I'm just finishing the acoustic panels for the sound quality. It should all be live by the new year with a regular flow of content.

[RJAnderson in reply to pinkvision]

Thanks agin for your help. I think your YouTube channel could help a lot of people, as you clearly know a lot more than what Google produces!

I found a link to St George's Neuropsychology service and got their contact details. I have a referral letter from my GP, so I can get it sent there although I worry about their waiting list. I have 6 weeks to get evidence of TBI to get the full year off. So right now I'm trying to find someone private. I don't have money but I need to finish this PhD, and for that, I need time for brain to rest + therapies.

I'm also part-time. I've been working on my PhD for 7 years over 10 years. So dropping out now due to recent TBI injury would be gutting. But I simply can't work. Used to churn out 10k chapters no problem. Now I can barely get a page or a paragraph written. So weird.

Thanks again!

Richard