Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
09:49
Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: January 20, 2023
Traumatic alterations in consciousness: traumatic brain injury
Brian J Blyth1, Jeffrey J Bazarian
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Center for Neural Development and Disease, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 645, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. brian_blyth@urmc.rochester.edu
Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America
|August 17, 2010
Summary
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) requires prompt emergency care to rule out serious intracranial injuries. Early interventions can prevent long-term disability, though mTBI may be linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Emergency Medicine
- Neurotrauma
Background:
- Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) involves a temporary alteration in consciousness due to head trauma.
- Identifying and treating associated intracranial injuries is critical in emergency care.
- While most mTBI cases resolve fully, some patients experience persistent, disabling symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the emergency management priorities for mTBI.
- To highlight the importance of early interventions in preventing chronic symptoms.
- To discuss the potential long-term neurodegenerative sequelae of mTBI.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical presentation and emergency care protocols for mTBI.
- Emphasis on diagnostic imaging and neurosurgical consultation for acute intracranial injuries.
- Discussion of early patient education and referral strategies for symptom management.
Main Results:
- The primary goal in acute mTBI care is the detection of rare but severe intracranial pathologies.
- Early interventions, including patient education and timely referrals, can mitigate the risk of chronic post-mTBI symptoms.
- A significant patient subset may develop lasting disabilities despite initial recovery.
Conclusions:
- Prompt neuroimaging and neurosurgical consultation are vital for managing acute mTBI.
- Proactive patient education and appropriate referrals are key to reducing long-term disability.
- mTBI may be associated with an increased risk of future neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease, warranting further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction
DefinitionTraumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a disturbance of normal brain function induced by an external mechanical force, such as a direct blow to the head or a penetrating injury. It can affect both brain structure and function, producing a wide range of clinical outcomes. TBI is a heterogeneous condition, meaning its effects may differ based on the type, location, and severity of the injury.Basis of ClassificationTBI is classified based on severity, injury mechanism, or pathophysiology. In...
01:20Traumatic Memory
Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual remembers mundane...
01:26Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief episode of neurological dysfunction caused by a temporary, focal reduction in cerebral blood flow. Although symptoms resemble those of an ischemic stroke, the interruption in perfusion is short-lived and does not cause permanent infarction. TIAs are clinically important because they often serve as early warning events for future stroke.Mechanisms of Transient Cerebral IschemiaTransient cerebral ischemia may arise through several mechanisms. One...
01:29Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins with...
01:27Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative disorders represent complex psychological conditions characterized by disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception. These disruptions cause individuals to experience a disconnection from their thoughts, emotions, and memories. The phenomenon is not merely an occasional lapse in attention but a profound alteration in mental functioning that can severely impact daily life.
Dissociative Fugue
A hallmark feature of dissociative disorders is the dissociative fugue...
Dissociative Fugue
A hallmark feature of dissociative disorders is the dissociative fugue...
01:22Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...