Ivy Tech Libraries: Disability Research: Traumatic Brain Injuries

Definition & Statistics

Brain Injury Association of America
The Brain Injury Association of America's mission is to improve the quality of life of people affected by brain injury across their lifespan through advancing prevention, awareness, research, treatment, education, and advocacy.

The Brain Book by Ken Ashwell; Richard Restak (Foreword by) "There is something almost magical about a beautiful, colorful, well-illustrated book... It is definitely a useful special topic book in upper middle school and high school." --National Science Teachers Association Recommends "This volume is so much more than a beautifully illustrated coffee table book, it is both fascinatingly detailed and extraordinarily readable. No reference library, or lover of good books, should be without a copy." --Vancouver Sun The Brain Book is a fascinating exploration of the most complex organ in the human body. Composed of billions of nerve cells, the brain controls our thoughts, movements, behavior and emotions and much more. This comprehensive, approachable and richly illustrated book explores such diverse topics as how we sense the world, consciousness and memory, disease and disorder, the aging brain, and spinal injury repair. Research moves fast in science and much has been learned since the book was first published in 2012. This new edition includes: Redesigned and captions updated throughout More than 100 new photographs added Text reviewed in detail and updated to reflect the most up-to-date research and novel therapies Genetic control of brain development Genetic control of language Spinal cord injury Drug abuse Stem cell therapy to treat brain disease Williams syndrome. Hundreds of color images, including stunning 3D illustrations and scans, reveal the intricate workings of the brain and show the incredible details beyond what the eye can usually see. Clearly written in an accessible tone, The Brain Book demystifies the fascinating and complex workings of the brain. It is a one-stop reference for understanding the brain and an essential selection for all schools and libraries, and for anyone who wants to further explore the intricacies of this incredible organ.
Call Number: 612.82 ASH 2019
ISBN: 9780228100850
Publication Date: 2019
Brain Disorders Sourcebook, 5th Ed by Omnigraphics (Managing editor) Consumer health information about the diagnosis and treatment of acquired and traumatic brain injuries, brain disorders, and degenerative diseases and conditions. Includes index, glossary of related terms and directory of resources.
Call Number: 616.8 HEA 2018
ISBN: 9780780816206
Publication Date: 2018
Traumatic Brain Injury by Arthur Gillard (Editor) "Traumatic Brain Injury: Each volume in this timely series provides essential information on a disease or disorder (symptoms, causes, treatments, cures, etc.); presents the controversies surrounding causes, alternative treatments, and other issues"--
Call Number: 617.51044 TRA 2013
ISBN: 9780737763492
Publication Date: 2012

Traumatic Brain injuries: Can be classified as either a “penetrating” or “closed-head.”

Penetrating head injuries: Occur when the skull has been compromised by a foreign object, as in the case of a gunshot wound. This type of injury also causes bleeding and the possibility of infection. Penetrating head injuries have the highest morbidity and mortality rates.

Closed-head injuries: Typically acceleration-deceleration injuries, caused by a person's head suddenly accelerating (such as from a blow to the head) or decelerating (such as in an automobile collision), which results in the brain striking the inside of the skull.

Diagnosis: The severity of traumatic brain injury is often assessed using corresponding scores on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The scale ranges from 3 to 15, with 3 being the most severe form of TBI and 15 being the mildest. A person with a score below 9 is considered to be in a coma.

Symptoms: Physical injury, Aphasia (deficits in language production and/or comprehension), Amnesia, mood swings, depression, anxiety, headaches, dizziness, mental clouding.

Treatment:

Intracranial monitoring (Keeping intracranial pressure within normal levels), ventilating cerebrospinal fluid build up within the brain cavity. This is done by drilling a small hole into the skull and inserting a tube, usually into a lateral ventricle.
In terms of medication, mannitol, an osmotic diuretic, can have significant effects on ICP, cerebral blood flow, and brain metabolism.
cognitive therapy, sensory-motor therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and physical therapy

According to the CDC, there were approximately 214,110 TBI-related hospitalizations in 2020* and 69,473 TBI-related deaths in 2021.¹
- This represents more than 586 TBI-related hospitalizations and 190 TBI-related deaths per day.
- These estimates do not include the many TBIs that are only treated in the emergency department, primary care, urgent care, or those that go untreated.²

People age 75 years and older had the highest numbers and rates of TBI-related hospitalizations* and deaths.¹ This age group accounts for about 32% of TBI-related hospitalizations and 28% of TBI-related deaths.
Males were nearly two times more likely to be hospitalized (79.9 age-adjusted rate versus 43.7)* and three times more likely to die¹ from a TBI than females (28.3 versus 8.4).

Through research, the Kessler Foundation develops new ways to help individuals recover cognitive function and mobility, and equip families and caregivers with the long-term support they need to adjust to living with brain injury.

This video explores the pathophysiology of a TBI, the signs/symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of a TBI.