Ethics and law
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…
Basic statistics and research methods
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,…
Neurodegeneration and dementia
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
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 and neuroprosthetics
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…
Complementary and alternative medicine
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…
Disorders of consciousness
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…
Anoxic brain injury
Anoxia is defined by the total absence of oxygen to the tissues or a particular organ such as the brain. The term anoxic brain injury (ABI) is frequently used synonymously…
Dual diagnosis of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury
The dual diagnosis of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) has clinical and diagnostic features of both conditions typically stemming from a single traumatic event. These…
Postconcussion syndrome assessment, management, and treatment
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) makes up 85% to 90% of all traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases. Based on clinical outcomes and formal research, most people with an mTBI will…
