benefits to getting an fMRI in UK?

[tnefeh]

I had a TBI over a decade ago and recently saw a neurologist who wanted me to do MRI to see if there is any residue scarring. I'm currently waiting for the results and not expecting anything visible to show up as I've read that MRI's don't usually show anything following a TBI.

However, I have read that fMRI's which are slightly different are used by some TBI clinics in the US to help see long lasting effects of the TBI. I have found somewhere in the UK who do the fMRI but I don't know anyone like a doctor or a clinic who could read it and then treat it?

I'm not actually asking for doctor or clinic recommendations as I don't know if that's allowed in this group.

I'm more curious if anyone has had this done and found it helpful in their recovery from TBI?

Any input, experiences or advice would be helpful! thank you!

[WonderingWanda]

I have recently found that there are a few places in the UK that do fMRI but am not sure if there is the expertise to interpret of target therapy based on the results.

I do have an appointment with a Neurologist in a couple of weeks (waited nearly a year) and plan to ask about it. If I learn anything I will pass it on

[tnefeh in reply to WonderingWanda]

That would be great if you wouldn’t mind getting back to me with what they say! I will also let you know if I can find anyone who can interpret it

[WonderingWanda in reply to tnefeh]

The Consultant Neurologist said that the functional MRI is used for assessing patients before surgery for tumours etc. He said it wouldn’t add anything to my diagnosis as they can assess clinically what the effects have been.

Interesting. I have finally been referred to audiology and neuropsychiatrist. So the journey continues.

[Painting-girl]

Hello tnefeh, welcome to the forum. Would you mind telling us a little bit more about what happened to you, and how long ago this was?

Basically 'mild' brain traumatic injury (MTBI) can have many after effects that may last a long time, but wouldn't be expected to show up on CT or MRI scans. fMRI scans have been used in research settings for perhaps ten years now, and can apparently demonstrate changes in the brain post MTBI.

I'm thinking that if you have a neurologist who wants to send you for a MRI in case you have scarring, that possibly your original injury wasn't 'mild' in nature?

I see that there are indeed some centres offering fMRI now in the UK, which is I think pretty recent, and very interesting. Would one way to find out about analysis and treatment post scan, be to contact the companies offering fMRI and find out about their set-up? The main advantage of fMRI I think would be to prove that a physical injury has occurred (which I think could possibly be reassuring), Neuropsychology testing can also evidence this.

Treatment for brain injury tends to focus more on rehab, with neuropsychologists at the forefront of this, and occupational therapists - and also sports physios specialising in post concussion can also have effective input.

Hope this helps a little?

[tnefeh in reply to Painting-girl]

Hi thank you so much! It was around 12 years ago I had a ski accident. I didn't actually realise it was classed as a TBI until recently when I came across TBI. I always just thought it was a 'head injury' because it was abroad in a place that didn't speak much English, and I was unconscious so I don't have any details other than there was no bleed or skull fracture. How would you determine whether a TBI is mild, moderate or severe?

That's a great idea about contacting the fMRI company themselves, I will do this! thanks for your help

[Painting-girl in reply to tnefeh]

Hi tnefeh, at a guess, if there was no bleeding or fracture, it sounds like it was a 'mild traumatic brain injury' which generally means it was not life threatening. Though a period of unconsciousness sounds more serious. Are you still having symptoms that started at the time?

Have you thought of contacting the Headway helpline ( in office hours) to talk this over?

[sashaming1]

I have MS and then had a TBI (yes, I'm an overachiever). After my standard yearly MRI for MS I asked my Neurologist if he could see that I had a TBI and he said "Yes." Even I could see it. My TBI resulted in frontal lobe damage. FYI.

[pinkvision]

fMRI's record oxygen in blood flow with a 3 second delay, the areas that 'light up' are functions that either inhibit or induce functions, the only way to see if there is any difference from your injury is to have a scan from before your injury as well otherwise there is nothing to compare it to.