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What is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), or "head injury," is damage to the brain caused by an external force that results in one or more impairments of brain functioning.

The Brain Injury Association of America defines Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as an insult to the brain, not of degenerative or congenital nature but caused by an external physical force that may produce a diminished or altered state of consciousness, which results in an impairment of cognitive abilities or physical functioning.

The Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems defines brain injury as damage to brain tissue caused by an external mechanical force as evidenced by: loss of consciousness due to brain trauma, post traumatic amnesia, skull fracture, or objective neurological findings that can be reasonably attributed to TBI on physical examination or mental status examination.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one type of Brain Injury. Other causes of Brain Injury, e.g., anoxia, encephalitis, tumor, or bleeds, may have similar effects.

For information specific to your needs we recommend the following websites:

• University of Iowa Virtual Hospital Brain Injury page is a comprehensive source of information for persons with brain injury, their families/friends and service providers that can be accessed 24 hours a day. Spanish version available

• Waiting.com is a resource on brain injury coma, and the early stages of recovery for family members and friends of persons with brain injuries.

• Brain Injury Association of America provides support and resources regarding brain injury of general nature for all persons with brain injury, family, friends, service providers and the general public.

• The TBI Model Systems site provides information on current research and other items of interest to professionals.

• The Missouri TBI Demonstration Project site provides information for persons with brain injury, family members, and caregivers about community-based services.

• Center on Outcome Measurement in Brain Injury (COMBI), an online resource for those needing detailed information and support in regards to outcome measures for brain injuries.

• AltaVista Translator site provides tranlations and searches in other languages - a great source for people who are not fluent in English language and would like to learn more about brain injury. Languages include Spanish, French, Russian, German, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Portuguese.