A CNV study in a group of patients with traumatic head injuries.

CNVs were studied in a group of 27 subjects with traumatic head injuries followed by protracted coma. Before CNV recording, all patients were subjected to Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale and to Benton's visual retention test. The findings were compared with those obtained from 80 normal subjects. A statistically significant decrease was observed in the CNV area in the group with traumatic lesions. No correlation could be found between CNV parameters and the results of the mental tests. In 7 of the subjects who presented the highest percentage of errors in Benton's test, a large post-imperative negative variation was observed.