Traumatic Brain Injury

After brain injury, new astrocytes play unexpected role in healing

The production of a certain kind of brain cell that had been considered an impediment to healing may actually be needed to staunch bleeding and promote repair after a stroke or head trauma, researchers at ...

Medical research created Apr 24, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Transmission of tangles in Alzheimer's mice provides more authentic model of tau pathology

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Where 'where it's at' is at in the brain: Study in rats identifies region that associates objects and space

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Neuroscience created Dec 05, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 3 | with audio podcast

Discovery shows medications can treat inflammation without increasing risk for infection

In a discovery that can fundamentally change how drugs for arthritis, and potentially many other diseases, are made, University of Utah medical researchers have identified a way to treat inflammation while potentially minimizing ...

Inflammatory disorders created Nov 11, 2012 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (9) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Study identifies how zebrafish regrow their brains

(Medical Xpress)—An international team of scientists has discovered the mechanism by which zebrafish can re-grow brain neurons after they have suffered traumatic brain injury, and that this mechanism is ...

Medical research created Nov 09, 2012 | popularity 4.9 / 5 (9) | comments 3 | with audio podcast report

Targeted oxidation-blocker prevents secondary damage after traumatic brain injury

Treatment with an agent that blocks the oxidation of an important component of the mitochondrial membrane prevented the secondary damage of severe traumatic brain injury and preserved function that would otherwise have been ...

Neuroscience created Aug 26, 2012 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Scientists discover previously unknown cleaning system in brain

A previously unrecognized system that drains waste from the brain at a rapid clip has been discovered by neuroscientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The findings were published online August 15 in Science Tr ...

Neuroscience created Aug 15, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (19) | comments 4 | with audio podcast

Neurons derived from cord blood cells may represent new therapeutic option

For more than 20 years, doctors have been using cells from blood that remains in the placenta and umbilical cord after childbirth to treat a variety of illnesses, from cancer and immune disorders to blood ...

Medical research created Jul 16, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (5) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Researchers gain new insight into prefrontal cortex activity

The brain has a remarkable ability to learn new cognitive tasks while maintaining previously acquired knowledge about various functions necessary for everyday life. But exactly how new information is incorporated ...

Neuroscience created Mar 05, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (6) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Neuroscientists link brain-wave pattern to energy consumption

Different brain states produce different waves of electrical activity, with the alert brain, relaxed brain and sleeping brain producing easily distinguishable electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns. These patterns ...

Neuroscience created Feb 08, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Sea snails help researchers explore a way to enhance memory

(Medical Xpress) -- Efforts to help people with learning impairments are being aided by a species of sea snail known as Aplysia californica. The mollusk, which is used by researchers to study the brain, has much in common ...

Neuroscience created Dec 26, 2011 | popularity 3.5 / 5 (4) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

For combat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, 'fear circuitry' in the brain never rests

Chronic trauma can inflict lasting damage to brain regions associated with fear and anxiety. Previous imaging studies of people with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, have shown that these brain regions can over-or ...

Neuroscience created May 18, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Repeat brain injury raises soldiers' suicide risk, study shows

People in the military who suffer more than one mild traumatic brain injury face a significantly higher risk of suicide, according to research by the National Center for Veterans Studies at the University of Utah.

Psychology & Psychiatry created May 15, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Researchers discover dynamic behavior of progenitor cells in brain

By monitoring the behavior of a class of cells in the brains of living mice, neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins discovered that these cells remain highly dynamic in the adult brain, where they transform into ...

Neuroscience created May 09, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Research sheds new light on traumatic brain injuries

Even a mild injury to the brain can have long lasting consequences, including increased risk of cognitive impairment later in life. While it is not yet known how brain injury increases risk for dementia, there are indications ...

Neuroscience created Apr 15, 2013 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (4) | comments 0 | with audio podcast


Traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as intracranial injury, occurs when an external force traumatically injures the brain. TBI can be classified based on severity, mechanism (closed or penetrating head injury), or other features (e.g., occurring in a specific location or over a widespread area). Head injury usually refers to TBI, but is a broader category because it can involve damage to structures other than the brain, such as the scalp and skull.

TBI is a major cause of death and disability worldwide, especially in children and young adults. Causes include falls, vehicle accidents, and violence. Prevention measures include use of technology to protect those suffering from automobile accidents, such as seat belts and sports or motorcycle helmets, as well as efforts to reduce the number of automobile accidents, such as safety education programs and enforcement of traffic laws.

Brain trauma can be caused by a direct impact or by acceleration alone. In addition to the damage caused at the moment of injury, brain trauma causes secondary injury, a variety of events that take place in the minutes and days following the injury. These processes, which include alterations in cerebral blood flow and the pressure within the skull, contribute substantially to the damage from the initial injury.

TBI can cause a host of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral effects, and outcome can range from complete recovery to permanent disability or death. The 20th century saw critical developments in diagnosis and treatment that decreased death rates and improved outcome. These include imaging techniques such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Depending on the injury, treatment required may be minimal or may include interventions such as medications and emergency surgery. Physical therapy, speech therapy, recreation therapy, and occupational therapy may be employed for rehabilitation.

This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

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