Brain Injury Blog

This was a talk that Kim Gorgens did for a TED conference.

The potential for a full recovery following a traumatic brain injury is very dependent on the immediate detection of early signs and symptoms after an accident. In some cases, traumatic brain injuries are immediately apparent following a jolt or blow to the head. However the CDC reports that “75% of TBIs that occur each year…

Lawmakers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut all passed new laws in 2010 designed to ensure student athletes who suffer suspected concussions get the proper treatment and do not return to action too quickly. The law requires education for coaches, parents, volunteers and young athletes regarding the signs and symptoms of concussion, guidelines for managing…

A common question after a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) is “what is the recovery time”? Unfortunately, this is nearly impossible to answer for several reasons. First the brain itself is extremely complicated. It controls many different parts of the way we breathe, think, walk and talk. Some patients may walk more quickly than they are…

Boston Globe writer Bella English suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in a bicycle accident in the fall of 2010. As is the case with so many TBI accidents her journey to recovery is full of struggles and successes. This article, eloquently written by Bella offers you her perspective on her recovery, both physically and…

When a personal injury comes in the form of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) the effects can be physical, cognitive, emotional or behavioral. While most of us are familiar with the terms physical, emotional and behavioral, cognitive may need clarification. Cognition: the scientific term for the “process of thought”. In psychology it usually refers to…

Drunk Driving Accidents are the Leading Cause of Traumatic Brain Injuries The leading cause of traumatic brain injuries, (TBI) is drunk driving. Nationally, 61% of traumatic brain injuries are a result of motor vehicle accidents. In Massachusetts 40% of driving fatalities were related to alcohol consumption. Direct trauma to the brain can occur when the…

Most of us typically think of ourselves as having a “good” or “bad” memory, and as we age often we feel that our memory isn’t as good as it once had been. As you most likely already know, there are different types of memory: verbal and visual. Verbal information is stored in the left hemisphere…

Sleep disturbance is a relatively common complication following Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). It has been reported that individuals with brain injury have significantly more insomnia (56%) and pain complaints (59%) than those who are non-brained injured. One recent study reported 30% of individuals with brain injuries were found to suffer from insomnia. Oftentimes, factors such…

The U.S. Army honors soldiers wounded or killed in combat with the Purple Heart, a powerful symbol designed to recognize their sacrifice and service. Yet Army commanders have routinely denied Purple Hearts to soldiers who have sustained concussions in Iraq, despite regulations that make such wounds eligible for the medal, an investigation by NPR and…