Information About Brain and Spinal Cord Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur when the head hits an object, or when a blow or penetrating head injury disrupts the brain’s functions. A TBI can cause short or long-term problems with brain function. (Many non-traumatic diseases and conditions can also cause brain injury.)

According to the Brain Injury Association of America, about 1.4 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury each year in the United States, of whom approximately 50,000 die and 1.1 million are treated and released from an emergency room. About 5.3 million Americans have a long-term or lifelong need for help in daily living as a result of traumatic brain injury.

The leading causes of traumatic brain injury are falls, traffic accidents, blows to the head, and assaults. Blasts are a leading cause of TBI for active duty military personnel in war zones. “Shaken baby syndrome” often involves traumatic brain injury resulting from violent shaking, in which babies appear sluggish or non-responsive.

Mild TBI can produce headache, confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, fatigue, a change in sleep patterns, behavioral or mood changes, and trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking. Severe TBI can result in a headache that gets worse or does not go away, vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures, an inability to awaken from sleep, dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the extremities, loss of coordination, and confusion, restlessness, or agitation.
(Adapted from NINDS Brain Injury page)

Traumatic spinal cord injury happens when blows to the spine at any point injure axons—nerves that carry messages between the brain and parts of the body. The extent of after-effects depends on how many axons are damaged, and how seriously. Spinal cord injury effects can range from complete recovery to complete paralysis.

What are the costs of traumatic brain injury?

Traumatic brain injury can cause epilepsy, and can increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other brain disorders.

What are some research directions in traumatic brain and spinal cord injury?
Scientists reported in September 2006 that a drug used to treat Alzheimer’s improved memory in victims of TBI.

Improved rehabilitation techniques are improving outcomes for persons with injuries to the brain and spinal cord.

U.S. Government Sites

• NINDS Traumatic Brain Injury Page
• NINDS Spinal Cord Injury Page
• MedLine Plus: Brain Injuries

Associations and Foundations

• Brain Trauma Foundation
• Brain Injury Association of America
• National Rehabilitation Information Center
• Traumatic Brain Injury National Data Center