"Traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as an intracranial injury, is an injury to the brain caused by an external force."
Damage to the brain caused by an external force or impact, leading to cognitive and motor deficits.
Brain structure and function: Understanding the basic anatomy and function of the brain is essential to understanding TBI and how it affects the brain.
Mechanisms of TBI: This topic covers the various ways in which TBI can occur, such as falls, car accidents, sports injuries, and assaults.
Types of TBI: TBI is classified based on severity and location, and the type of TBI can affect the severity of symptoms and the potential for recovery.
Assessment and diagnosis: Neuropsychologists use a range of tests and assessments to diagnose TBI and assess the severity of the injury and its impact on cognitive and emotional functioning.
Cognitive impairments: TBI can affect many aspects of cognitive functioning, including attention, perception, memory, language, and problem-solving.
Emotional and behavioral changes: TBI can also cause significant emotional and behavioral changes, including depression, anxiety, agitation, impulsivity, and social difficulties.
Rehabilitation and treatment: There are many approaches to TBI rehabilitation and treatment, including medications, cognitive and behavioral therapy, and occupational and speech therapy.
Long-term effects: Some individuals may experience long-term effects from TBI, including chronic pain, cognitive deficits, emotional and behavioral changes, and increased risk for neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
Prevention: There are several ways to prevent TBI, including wearing helmets during sports and other activities, buckling up in motor vehicles, and taking steps to prevent falls, especially among older adults.
Psychosocial aspects: TBI can have a significant impact on individuals' psychosocial functioning, their relationships, and their overall quality of life. Understanding these aspects is vital for providing comprehensive care to TBI survivors.
Concussion: A concussion is a mild type of traumatic brain injury that occurs when the brain is jolted or shaken inside the skull. Symptoms may include headache, confusion, and memory loss.
Contusion: A contusion is a more severe type of brain injury, in which there is a bruise or bleeding on the brain. Symptoms may include loss of consciousness, seizures, and loss of motor function.
Penetration injury: A penetration injury occurs when an object penetrates the skull and damages brain tissue. Symptoms may include loss of consciousness, loss of motor function, and difficulty speaking.
Diffuse axonal injury: A diffuse axonal injury occurs when the brain is shaken or rotated, causing damage to the axons (nerve fibers) in the brain. Symptoms may include loss of consciousness, coma, and permanent brain damage.
Coup-contrecoup injury: A coup-contrecoup injury occurs when the brain is jolted forward and then backward, causing injury to both the site of impact and the opposite side of the brain. Symptoms may include bruising, swelling, and bleeding in multiple areas of the brain.
"TBI can be classified based on severity ranging from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI/concussion) to severe traumatic brain injury."
"TBI can also be characterized based on mechanism (closed or penetrating head injury) or other features (e.g., occurring in a specific location or over a widespread area)."
"Yes, head injury is a broader category that may involve damage to other structures such as the scalp and skull."
"TBI can result in physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral symptoms, and outcomes can range from complete recovery to permanent disability or death."
"Causes include falls, vehicle collisions, and violence."
"Brain trauma occurs as a consequence of a sudden acceleration or deceleration within the cranium or by a complex combination of both movement and sudden impact."
"Some of the imaging techniques used for diagnosis of moderate to severe TBI include computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs)."
"Prevention measures include use of seat belts and helmets, not drinking and driving, fall prevention efforts in older adults, and safety measures for children."
"Depending on the injury, treatment required may be minimal or may include interventions such as medications, emergency surgery, or surgery years later."
"Physical therapy, speech therapy, recreation therapy, occupational therapy, and vision therapy may be employed for rehabilitation."
"Counseling, supported employment, and community support services may also be useful."
"TBI is a major cause of death and disability worldwide, especially in children and young adults."
"Males sustain traumatic brain injuries around twice as often as females."
"The 20th century saw developments in diagnosis and treatment that decreased death rates and improved outcomes."