Brain Basics
A human brain consists of 75% of this substance.
What is water?
According to Worldwide DoD Numbers for traumatic brain injuries, the vast majority (approximately 82%) are classified as this level of severity.
What is mild?
True or False: Standard imaging CT and MRI captures all damage caused by a TBI.
FALSE.
Sudden acceleration-deceleration of the head leads to axonal shearing. This diffuse axonal injury that occurs at the white-gray matter junctions of the brain is often not captured on CT and MRI.
The most important thing you can do to help recovery immediately after being diagnosed with a concussion is this.
What is get physical and mental (brain) rest?
True or False: Early aerobic activity right after a concussion is associated with worsened cognitive function.
TRUE.
However, exercise after a rest period is associated with improved outcomes compared to rest alone. Properly controlled exercise can restore normal cerebral blood flow and is one of the most effective ways to stimulate neurogenesis.
Approximately this percentage of the human body's total oxygen and total blood supply is used by the brain.
What is 20%?
According to the CDC, this event is the most common cause of concussions/mTBI.
What is falls?
True or False: Post trauma deficits often lead to subsequent concussions and patients with one concussion are more likely to incur additional traumatic brain injuries.
TRUE.
In particular, repeated blast exposures tend to have a more lingering effect. Subsequent concussions can lead to increased symptoms and lingering effects when they occur close in time (within 3 months).
The 6 stages of the "Progressive Return to Activity Process" following an acute mTBI increases a member’s physical and mental activity level from Stage 1-Rest to Stage 6-Unrestricted Activity. This is defined as the minimum duration for rest before progressing to Stage 2-Light Routine Activity.
What is 24 hours?
A Service Member who did not lose consciousness after being involved in a blast incident, but did report feeling dazed/seeing stars immediately after the incident should:
a. return to duty immediately since they did not lose consciousness
b. seek medical attention as soon as feasible and at least within 24 hours of the event
c. rest until the dazed feeling dissipates, then return to duty
b. seek medical attention as soon as feasible and at least within 24 hours of the event
Half of the circuits in the brain are involved in this sensory function, making this system very susceptible to damage from a TBI.
What is vision?
Of the following, which option is not a potential cause of TBI?
1. direct blow to the head or head striking an object
2. blast injury
3. falls
4. stroke
5. vehicle collision/rollover
What is (4) Stroke?
Immediately following a TBI incident, this clinical sign including confusion, slowed thinking, disorientation, or "seeing stars" can occur and aid in severity of diagnosis.
What is an alteration in mental status (AOC)?
80-90% of patients spontaneously recover from a concussion in this period of time.
What is 2-4 weeks?
A soldier hits his head hard on the door of a Humvee during a training exercise. He is evaluated at the clinic and is told that he did not sustain a concussion. Why did he not sustain a concussion if he received a sharp blow to the head?
a. The Soldier was not involved in a blast event.
b. The Soldier did not black out, so this was not a concussion.
c. Concussions usually occur on the battlefield and not in training exercises.
d. Not all blows to the head result in a concussion.
d. Not all blows to the head result in a concussion.
This part of the brain continues to develop for decades and is involved in high cognitive functions such as decision making, planning and social behavior. It helps us understand other people and makes us human.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
A TBI is classified as this severity if it meets one of the following criteria:
1. Loss of Consciousness >30 min & <24 hours
2. Alteration of Consciousness >1 day
3. Any loss of memory immediately before or after injury (PTA) 1-7 days
What is moderate?
Name 3 physical symptoms specific to concussion.
1. Headaches/Migraines
2. Dizziness/Nausea
3. Poor Balance
3. Sleep Problems
4. Visual Disturbances (blur, double vision, light sensitivity)
5. Fatigue
TBI rehabilitation works to improve this, which allows the neurons in the brain to compensate for injury and disease and to adjust in response to new situations or changes in the environment.
What is neuroplasticity?
What appears as random bursts of light when people hit their heads is actually caused by a jolt to the brain cells responsible for vision. Stars most often appear following a blow to this region of the head because it is the location of the visual cortex.
What is the occipital lobe (back of the head)?
There are only 2 major brain regions that are currently believed to have the ability to continually give birth to new neurons via neurogenesis in adults: the hippocampus (responsible for long-term and spatial memory), and which second responsible for coordination and muscle memory?
What is the cerebellum?
The MACE acronym stands for this and includes a neurological exam, concussion history, and cognitive exam.
What is "Military Acute Concussion Evaluation"?
Name 3 cognitive/emotional symptoms specific to concussion.
1. Forgetfulness/Loss of Memory
2. Poor Concentration/Attention
3. Longer Information Processing/Slowed Thinking
4. Speech deficits
5. Personality Change (irritability, anxiety, depression, etc.)
6. Mood Swings
Name 3 services provided at the LRMC TBI Rehabilitation Clinic.
1. Neurology/PA
2. Neuropsychology
3. Behavior Health
4. Occupational Therapy
5. Physical Therapy
6. Optometry
The LRMC TBI Clinic Mission is to operate as a multidisciplinary team providing professional, reliable and innovative care critical to restoring optimal functional level for our Service Members, families and retirees who have sustained a TBI. Where is the TBI Clinic located?
What is Building 3737 (next to the fire department)?