Brain Injury Glossary
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - Traumatic brain injury is an insult to the brain, not of a degenerative or congenital nature, but caused by an external physical force. Traumatic brain injury may produce a diminished or altered state of consciousness that, as a result, impairs an individual's cognitive and/or physical abilities. A brain injury may also have an impact on behavioral or emotional functioning. These impairments may be either temporary or permanent, and cause either partial or total functional disability or psychosocial maladjustment.
Causes of TBI include:
- motor vehicle accidents
- falls
- gunshot wounds
- sports injuries
- workplace injuries
- child abuse
- domestic violence
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) - An acquired brain injury is an injury to the brain that has occurred after birth and is not hereditary, congenital or degenerative. It can be caused by traumatic or non-traumatic event. The injury commonly causes a change in neuronal activity that affects the physical integrity, the metabolic activity or the functional ability of the brain cell.
Causes of ABI include:
- tumors
- blood clots
- strokes
- seizures
- toxic exposure
- infections
- metabolic disorders
- neurotoxic poisoning
- lack of oxygen to the brain (anoxia)
Physical Impairments - Physical impairments from brain injury may include:
- muscle weakness or paralysis
- loss of balance
- loss of coordination
- problems with vision, hearing or smell
- slurred speech
- difficulty swallowing
- spasticity (involuntary increase in muscle tone/tightness)
- pain
Cognitive Impairments - Individuals with a brain injury may experience cognitive impairments, including:
- thinking difficulties, such as poor attention and concentration,
- memory loss and difficulty with short and long-term memory
- diminished problem solving ability
- impact on judgment, organization and reasoning
- slowed speed of thinking
Behavioral and emotional issues - Traumatic brain injury may cause behavioral and emotional issues, which may include:
- depression
- irritability
- agitation
- low motivation
- poor emotional control
- anger management issues
- impulsivity
Arousal - Individuals with brain injury may have difficulty transitioning between a sleeping and awakened state.
Orientation - Individuals with brain injury may have a diminished sense of what is going on around them. This includes knowing the day, date, month and year; knowing things about one' s self; knowing where you are and how to get around and knowing what happened to you.
Impulsivity - Traumatic brain injury may have an impact on impulsive behavior, causing an individual to do or say something too quickly, often leading to errors and difficulties.
Perseveration - Individuals with brain injury may experience the inability to turn their attention from one thought to another.
Dysphagia - Individuals with brain injury may experience difficulty with chewing or swallowing food or liquid.