Background: radiation biology and physics overview Radiation therapy treats cancer by causing DNA damage, most importantly double-strand breaks (DSBs). Although normal cells can efficiently detect and repair DSBs through homologous…
Introduction In typical cases, the clinical workflow for brain tumors begins with imaging studies; however, despite the increased sensitivity and capabilities of these methodologies, diagnosing brain tumors requires histopathologic evaluation…
Introduction to brain and spine tumor surgery For tumors affecting the brain and spinal cord, surgical resection is the fastest and most definitive treatment. In some cases, it is also…
Decision-making capacity One of the most common ethical issues encountered in brain injury medicine centers on the circumstances in which it is permissible (or even obligatory) to restrict the freedom…
A basic familiarity with statistical terms and research methodology is helpful when critically assessing literature for practical evidence-based clinical application. Statistics is the study of the collection, analysis, interpretation, presentation,…
The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Concerns about long-term effects…
Neuropharmacology is a small piece of the overall management of the person with a brain injury. This chapter touches on a few elements of brain injury pharmacology but should not…
Neuromodulation The North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS), founded in 1994, roughly defines neuromodulation as encompassing a number of treatment modalities that exert their effect on the nervous system, typically using…
Given the high complexity and lack of a definitive treatment to overcome the range of sequelae of traumatic brain injury (TBI), patients and families often turn to complementary therapies to…
Nomenclature and taxonomy • The three main disorders of consciousness (DoC) are coma, the vegetative state (VS), and the minimally conscious state (MCS). • It is important to distinguish between…
