Planning times during traveling salesman's problem: differences between closed head injury and normal subjects

Brain Cogn. 2001 Jun-Jul;46(1-2):38-42. doi: 10.1016/s0278-2626(01)80029-4.

Abstract

We studied planning behavior in a group of normal subjects and a group of closed head injury patients (CHI). A computerized version of the traveling salesman's problem was used as a visuospatial planning ability task. The program collected measurements of partial times, number of moves, and number of skipped subgoals. These measures allow us to calculate a "planning index" of subjects' planning ability. Results show that CHI patients present limitations in the planning process due to the lack of ongoing planning.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Decision Making*
  • Frontal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Frontal Lobe / physiopathology*
  • Head Injuries, Closed / complications*
  • Head Injuries, Closed / diagnosis
  • Head Injuries, Closed / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • Perceptual Disorders / diagnosis
  • Perceptual Disorders / etiology*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Space Perception / physiology*
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Travel*
  • Visual Fields / physiology