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