The following is Research criteria for postconcussional disorder as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – IV-TR:

     A.     1) A history of head trauma that has caused significant cerebral concussion.

(Note:  The manifestations of concussion include loss of consciousness, posttraumatic amnesia, and, less commonly, posttraumatic onset of seizures.  The specific method of defining this criterion needs to be established by further research.)

     B.     2) Evidence from neuropsychological testing or quantifies cognitive assessment of difficulty in attention (concentrating, shifting focus of attention, performing simultaneous cognitive tasks) or memory (learning or recalling information).   

     C.     Three of more of the following:

1.       Becoming fatigued easily

2.      Disordered sleep

3.      Headache

4.      Vertigo or dizziness

5.      Irritability or aggression on little or no provocation

6.      Anxiety, depression, or affective lability

7.      Changes in personality (e.g., social or sexual inappropriateness)

8.      Apathy or lack of spontaneity

     D.    The symptoms in B and C have their onset following head trauma or else resent a substantial worsening of preexisitng symptoms.   

 E E.     The disturbance causes significant impairment in social or occupational functioning and represents a significant decline from a previous level of functioning.  In school-age children, the impairment may be manifested by a significant worsening in school or academic performance dating from the trauma.

F. F.      The symptoms do not meet criteria for Dementia Due to Head Trauma and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g., Amnestic Disorder Due to Head Trauma, Personality change Due to Head Trauma.

      Inividuals who meet the diagnostic criteria as defined in the DSM-IV-TR would be diagnosed as having Cognitive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.