Neuro-Imaging Research Paper

Concussions are a clinical diagnosis based largely upon the nature of the incident and the presence of specific signs and symptoms presented by the patient, not imaging techniques. Concussions are too minor to be included among injuries in which there is bleeding under the skull or into the brain that is visible on a CT scan. Another more serious type of brain injury must be present if bleeding is visible under imaging. Even routine

Knowing the symptoms of a brain injury is important but, getting treated is even more

A traumatic brain injury (“TBI”) occurs when the brain is somehow injured, rattled, or wounded from an external source of force. The means of acquisition and the severity of TBIs are unique to each patient; therefore, symptoms and rehabilitation can vary greatly depending on the patient’s condition following the incident and how they sustained the injury. The severity of a TBI is generally classified into one of three categories: mild, moderate, or severe, and this type of diagnostic criteria influences how a patient with TBI is treated by medical staff and rehabilitation specialists. TBIs can affect a specific part of the brain that was directly impacted, leaving the patients with only one or a few areas of impairment, or the damage can

Traumatic brain injury in general is characterized by the changes in brain function due to some sort of a biomechanical force induced by either directly or indirectly as a hit or blow to the head (Facts and Prevention, 2015). Mild traumatic brain injury, which will be considered as equivalent term with concussion, was defined by the International Conference on Concussion in Sport as a complex pathophysiological process induced by biomechanical forces (Mccrory et al., 2013). This penetrating head injury will disrupt the normal function of the brain. The cause of sports-related brain injury can be induced by a direct or indirect blow to the head. Injury can also be caused by the force of impulse due to impacts on other parts of the body being

A traumatic brain injury (“TBI”) occurs when the brain is somehow injured, rattled, or wounded from an external source of force. The means of acquisition and the severity of TBIs are unique to each patient; therefore, symptoms and rehabilitation can vary greatly depending on the patient’s condition following the incident and how they sustained the injury. The severity of a TBI is generally classified into one of three categories: mild, moderate, or severe, and this type of diagnostic criteria influences how a patient with TBI is treated by medical staff and rehabilitation specialists. TBIs can affect a specific part of the brain that was directly impacted, leaving the patients with only one or a few areas of impairment, or the damage can

The human brain is extremely fragile and “any bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain” is considered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) (CDC quote). As an inpatient rehabilitation nurse, TBI 's are a large percentage of the patient population and are continuously growing. All brain injuries are different and unique from one another, but brain injuries could affect everything from a person’s memory and reasoning, to their sensations, their ability to communicate, or even their personalities or feelings. Brainline.org is a website that was found through Google and is made available for the public to offer information and resources “about preventing, treating, and living with TBI” (about us). BrainLine states that their purpose is to serve those who have been affected by TBI, either it be the person themselves, their families, or the healthcare professionals caring for them. (BrainLine).

Concussions are an injury that are difficult to detect using standard medical procedures such as MRI’s and CT’s, because of this doctors also look to symptom recognition and neurocognitive tests in order to determine whether the injury sustained is indeed a concussion. Visible symptoms can vary from patient to patient, some of those include: loss of

This does not mean that they are any less significant or dangerous. Concussions typically do not involve any apparent damage to the face, head, or skull. Often the damage to the brain is so small that it cannot be seen on an MRI or CAT scan. This can cause a concussion to go unnoticed, which is extremely dangerous because an undiagnosed concussion can lead to mental retardation or even death. It is crucial that we understand and recognize the symptoms and effects of mild traumatic brain injuries, in order to treat and prevent them from occurring.

According to the Center for Disease Control, traumatic brain injuries contribute to about 30% of all injury deaths. Traumatic brain injuries are classified as “severe” or “mild”. The most common type of TBI is mild and called a concussion. The CDC estimates 2.8 billion emergency

Farrow (2004) explains that “A traumatic brain injury is caused by a blow to the head, face, or neck area…” (p.53). It is an injury to the brain that causes an immediate change in brain function, which includes a loss of consciousness (Levy, 1993). You do not have to be knocked unconscious in order to sustain a traumatic brain injury (The Franklin Institute, 2004). The term traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to injuries to the brain that are caused by some form of traumatic impact. A blow to the head, violent shaking or penetration of the brain tissue usually causes traumatic brain injuries. This is due to sudden, non-congenital physical damage to the brain from an external force that temporarily or permanently disrupts normal brain function. Brain characteristics and functions that can be affected include consciousness, speech and language, memory, mobility, personality and others. Depending on the cause and severity of the brain injury, brain damage can be mild, moderate or severe. In more serious cases , complications can be fatal. While the severity of traumatic brain injuries varies, the long-term affects are often devastating and life altering. Because the brain controls all bodily functions, any damage to the brain, regardless of severity, can impair physical and psychological activity (Rehberg,

Traumatic Brain Injury is otherwise known as TBI. “Traumatic brain injury, a form of acquired brain injury, occurs when sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. TBI can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue” (NINDS, 2010). There are two main types of TBI, closed head injuries such as head hitting a windshield and penetrating head injuries such as a gunshot wound. As reported by the Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation,” The severity of traumatic brain injuries is often assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale, with scores ranging from 3 to 15. The higher the score,

In theory, such injuries can add further prove to the defensive claim that a defendant should not be held fully accountable or liable for their actions at the time in which the crime in question took place. As Ederseim et. al. (2012) mentions, “while the balance of scientific opinion in this area urges extreme caution when attempting to apply these nascent imaging findings to legal settings, many lawyers and scientific experts have already framed these findings in legal terms in order to argue for diminished criminal responsibility” (p. 167). Regrettably, the majority of court cases where brain injury or damage is presented as evidence of diminished capacity are often not well-received, despite mounting evidence that TBIs contribute to the risk factors for crime, as well as impaired social and cognitive

There are several technologies to allow researchers to create structural images of the brain. We can use computerised tomography and magnetic resonance imaging to produce a series of X-rays of the brain with the MRI this does produce much higher definition pictures more helpful because it goes beyond just the structural data. Newer techniques like the position emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imagery. Where the pet requires the participant or patient to ingest a radioactive substance that many if not all participants in a research study may be, are very unwilling do.

With the advancement in technology, neuroimaging has led to the discovery of male brains containing a greater amount of white matter, while female brains contain more gray matter (Gur et al., 1999). Sun et al. (2015) collected imaging data to track the progress of brain network topology over a five-year period and compared the results between gender differences. Participants in the study included 43 males ranging from ages 22-53, and 28 females from ages 21-59. Only those having no brain disorders, mental illnesses, substance abuse, or first-degree family members with mental illnesses were included in the research. Twenty-eight subjects completed the study and received scans over 5 years. The results supported findings from previous

Neurologically, trauma to the brain can be seen as bleeding or swelling. Other abnormalities often found include: brain aneurysms, stroke, tumors of the brain, as well as inflammation of the spine. In addition, Neurosurgeons use an MRI scan not only for analyzing the brain anatomy but also in evaluating the structure of the spinal cord after trauma. It is also used when considering problems associated with the vertebrae or intervertebral discs in the spine. Finally, an MRI scan can also evaluate the structure of the heart and aorta, to detect aneurysms or tears.