Brain injury rehabilitation. 1. Traumatic brain injury: Prevention, pathophysiology, and outcome prediction

This self-directed learning module highlights new advances in the understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying traumatic brain injury (TBI) and outcome prediction, and outlines effective strategies for the prevention of TBI and associated impairments and disability in children and adults. It is part of the chapter on brain injury rehabilitation in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. In this article, cellular, biochemical, and genetic mechanisms that contribute to primary and secondary injury in mild and moderate to severe injury are discussed, with information on current neuroimaging and neurophysiologic tools for patient assessment. New advances described include investigations of the association between Alzheimer's disease and brain injury, and possible pathophysiologic correlates to the cognitive deficits seen in mild traumatic brain injury. New neuroimaging techniques may offer greater possibilities for correlation with clinical findings in patients with mild as well as more severe injury.