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Brain Injury: Learn

Brain Injury

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What are Brain Injuries?

An acquired brain injury (ABI) is an injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital, degenerative, or induced by birth trauma. Essentially, this type of brain injury is one that has occurred after birth. The injury results in a change to the brain’s neuronal activity, which affects the physical integrity, metabolic activity, or functional ability of nerve cells in the brain. There are two types of acquired brain injury: traumatic and non-traumatic.

traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as an alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain pathology, caused by an external force. Traumatic impact injuries can be defined as closed (or non-penetrating) or open (penetrating).

Often referred to as an acquired brain injury, a non-traumatic brain injury causes damage to the brain by internal factors, such as a lack of oxygen, exposure to toxins, pressure from a tumor, etc. Read on for an overview of some of the common causes of brain injury. Continue reading from Brain Injury Association of America

Local Resources

Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut
Certified Brain Injury Specialists provide extensive services, including Brain Injury Navigation Services. Resource Library, Helpline, support groups and advocacy.

Brain Injury Support Groups in Connecticut
In-person and virtual. Includes groups open to any individuals (and caregivers) with brain injuries, and groups focused on special concerns, such as veterans with brain injuries.

Family Caregiver Alliance Connecticut Services
Find public, nonprofit, and private programs and services. Includes government health and disability programs, legal resources, disease-specific organizations and more.

Learn More Online

From the Collection

Link to The Brain's Way of Healing by Norman Doidge in the Catalog
Link to Coping with Concussion and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury by Diane Stoler in the Catalog
Link to Going the Distance: Journeys of Recovery (film) in Kanopy Streaming Service
Link to League of Denial in the Catalog
Link to The Traumatized Brain by Vani Rao in the Catalog
Link to Concussion by Jeanne Laskas in the Catalog
Link to Healing Your Child's Brain by Matthew Newell in the Catalog

Link to the Health & Wellness Resource Guide Series Homepage