What is Acquired Brain Injury?

Acquired Brain Injury

• Refers to any damage to the brain that occurs after birth
• Not related to a congenital (e.g., Cerebral Palsy) or a degenerative (e.g., Alzheimer’s) disease

Two types of acquired brain injury (ABI):

1. Traumatic brain injury: An injury to the brain caused by an external source
2. Non-traumatic brain injury: An internal injury to the brain

Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury

• Motor vehicle collisions
• Sports-related injury (e.g., sports concussion)
• Workplace injury
• Physical assault/altercation
• Slip or fall
• Explosive blasts, combat injuries
• Shaken baby syndrome

Causes of Non-Traumatic Brain Injury

• Illness (e.g., high fever)
• Infections (e.g., meningitis, encephalitis)
• Hydrocephalus
• Stroke
• Poisoning (e.g., ingestion, inhalation)
• Metabolic disorders (e.g., insulin shock)
• Brain tumours
• Hypoxia/anoxia
• Strangulation
• Near-drowning
• Non-fatal overdose