What is an acquired brain injury?
An acquired brain injury (ABI) is any damage to the brain that occurs after birth. It is an umbrella term that includes a wide range of conditions affecting how the brain functions.
ABIs are generally grouped into two main categories:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Brain damage caused by an external force, such as a fall, road accident, sporting injury or blow to the head.
- Non-traumatic brain injury (nTBI): Brain damage caused by internal factors, such as stroke, lack of oxygen to the brain, infection, brain tumours, poisoning or exposure to toxins.
An acquired brain injury can affect thinking, memory, emotions, behaviour, movement, speech and the senses. The effects vary widely depending on the cause, which part of the brain is affected, and the severity of the injury.
The severity of an ABI can range from a mild concussion, with symptoms that resolve over time, to severe brain injury that may result in permanent disability, coma or death.
Did you know?
An Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is a broad umbrella term generally used for any brain damage that occurs after birth. It does not include congenital, genetic or degenerative neurological conditions.
Causes
Acquired brain injuries have a wide variety of causes. This includes;
- Non-traumatic injury (nTBI), such as a stroke, disease such as meningitis or encephalitis, near-drowning, aneurysm, tumour or other health event.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a motor vehicle accident, fall, sporting injury, workplace accident, assault or other incident. Concussion is a common type of mild traumatic brain injury.
Some injuries sustained during pregnancy, such as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), have also been classified as an ABI.
Symptoms
Symptoms of brain injury are different for everyone. Some immediate symptoms may include;
- Loss of consciousness
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Nausea
- Confusion or other cognitive problems.
In the longer term, difficulty with concentration and short-term memory, altered sleep patterns, a change in personality, depression, irritability, and other emotional and behavioural problems may become evident. Some people may have seizures as a result of brain injuries.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the brain injury.
Immediate treatment for brain injury may involve surgery to control bleeding in or around the brain, monitoring and controlling pressure inside the head (intracranial pressure), other methods of ensuring blood flow to the brain, and treating the body for other injuries or infections. Seizures may need long-term anticonvulsant treatment.
Rehabilitation is an important part of recovery for many people. This may involve a multidisciplinary team, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, neuropsychologists and other rehabilitation specialists. Treatment focuses on maximising recovery, improving independence and helping people adapt to any lasting changes.
Outlook
The outcome of acquired brain injury depends on the cause of the injury and on the location, severity, and extent of neurological damage, and can range from full recovery to death.
Long-term consequences may include concentration problems, memory loss, personality and behaviour disorders, and speech and language impairment; these may result in loss of employment, lack of social opportunities, isolation and withdrawal and impaired family relations.
Recent research grants
2023 – Biomarkers to diagnose concussion when patients are under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs – Dr Jennifer Makovec Knight – Read more >
2023 – Evaluation of novel pharmacological supplements for prevention of concussion trauma in a preclinical model – Dr Andrew Fenning – Read more >
2022 – Using light stimulation to improve recovery following traumatic brain injury – Dr Jamie Beros – Read more >
2022 – How do changes in brain rhythms contribute to the effects of brain injury? – Dr George Opie – Read more >
2021 – Detecting concussion in the brain – Dr Remika Mito – Read more >
Further information and support:
Information
- Recovering from brain injury | Brianna’s Story
- Traumatic Brain Injury in Australia with Dr Hellewell | YouTube
- Detecting brain changes after concussion with Dr Mito | YouTube
- Concussion and the brain with Dr Opie | YouTube
- What is Traumatic Brain Injury? With Dr Beros | YouTube
- Concussion – overview article | Read more
Support
- Synapse – Australia’s Brain Injury Organisation – https://synapse.org.au/
- Connectivity – Traumatic Brain Injury – https://www.connectivity.org.au/
- Brain Injury Australia – https://www.braininjuryaustralia.org.au/
- Brain Injury Association of Tasmania – https://www.biat.org.au/
- National Assistance Card – https://www.nationalassistancecard.com.au/
Reviewed by: Associate Professor Nicholas Dorsch, Department of Surgery, Westmead Hospital, Australia
DISCLAIMER: The information provided is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient / site visitor and his / her existing health care professionals.
The Brain Foundation is dedicated to funding the next generation of Australian research into brain disorders, diseases, and injuries, with the ultimate goal of advancing diagnoses, treatments, and patient outcomes.