3.8.6 Effects of brain injury

Effects of Injury at Different Ages on the Brain

The effects of brain injury can vary depending on the age at which the injury occurs. Brain development is a dynamic process that continues throughout life, and different regions of the brain mature at different rates. As a result, the impact of a brain injury can vary depending on the age at which it occurs and the region of the brain affected.

In infancy and childhood, the brain is still developing rapidly and is more resilient and adaptable than in adulthood. Children with brain injuries may recover more quickly and experience fewer long-term effects than adults with similar injuries. However, brain injuries during this critical period of development can also have more serious and lasting impacts on cognitive, emotional, and behavioural development (Vaurio, 2009).

During adolescence, the brain continues to develop, with the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and other executive functions, maturing last. As a result, brain injuries during this period can have significant impacts on these important functions. Adolescents with brain injuries may also experience difficulties with social and emotional regulation, as well as academic difficulties.

In adulthood, the brain is less resilient and adaptable, and the effects of brain injury are often more serious and long-lasting. Adults with brain injuries may experience significant impairments in cognitive, motor, and sensory functions, as well as emotional and behavioural problems (Stuss, 2002).

Regardless of the age at which it occurs, a brain injury can have a profound impact on an individual’s quality of life, and rehabilitation and support are important to help individuals recover and rebuild their lives (Teasell, 2003).

Effects of Brain Injury on the Anatomy

Brain injury can have a profound impact on both macro and micro neuroanatomy, resulting in changes to the structure and function of the brain. These changes can have serious consequences for an individual’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioural functioning.

At the macro neuroanatomy level, brain injury can result in damage to specific regions of the brain, or to larger networks of brain regions that work together. For example, injury to the frontal lobes can result in problems with executive function, while injury to the temporal lobes can result in memory difficulties. Injury to the brainstem can result in problems with basic functions such as regulating heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.

At the micro neuroanatomy level, injury can result in damage to individual neurons and synapses, the structures that transmit signals between neurons. This damage can disrupt the normal flow of information within the brain, leading to changes in neural function. For example, injury can result in the loss of dendritic branches, which are important for receiving signals from other neurons, and axons, which are important for transmitting signals to other neurons.

In addition to structural changes, injury can also result in changes to the chemistry of the brain, including changes to the levels of neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons. These changes can further disrupt the normal flow of information within the brain, leading to additional cognitive, emotional, and behavioural difficulties.

Effects of Brain Injury on the Mental Function

Brain injury can have a profound impact on an individual’s mental function, resulting in a wide range of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural problems. Mental function refers to the cognitive processes that allow us to process and understand information, make decisions, and interact with the world around us. When the brain is injured, these processes can be disrupted, leading to a range of difficulties that can have serious consequences for an individual’s quality of life.

Cognitive difficulties can include problems with attention, memory, executive function, and processing speed. Attention difficulties may make it difficult for individuals to sustain focus, concentrate, and filter out distractions. Memory difficulties can result in problems with retaining information, recalling past events, and recognizing familiar people or objects. Executive function difficulties can result in problems with planning, organizing, and making decisions. Processing speed difficulties can result in slower information processing and difficulty keeping pace with others (Cicerone, 2011).

Emotional difficulties can include depression, anxiety, irritability, and mood swings. Brain injury can also result in changes to an individual’s personality, including increased impulsivity, disinhibition, and irritability. These emotional difficulties can have serious consequences for an individual’s social and occupational functioning and may result in strained relationships and reduced participation in meaningful activities.

Behavioural difficulties can include impulsivity, disinhibition, and aggression. Brain injury can also result in problems with regulating behaviour, leading to difficulty controlling impulses and engaging in socially inappropriate behaviour. These behavioural difficulties can result in significant problems for individuals in their daily lives, including difficulties at work, school, and in personal relationships (Anderson, 2012).

In conclusion, brain injury can have a profound impact on mental function, resulting in a range of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural difficulties. Understanding these effects is crucial for developing effective rehabilitation and support programs that can help individuals recover and rebuild their lives.

References:

(1) Anderson, V. A., Catroppa, C., Morse, S. A., Haritou, F., & Rosenfeld, J. V. (2012). Outcomes of cognitive and behavioral interventions for children with traumatic brain injury: A review. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 34(7), 714-732.

(2) Cicerone, K. D., Langenbahn, D. M., Braden, C., Malec, J. F., Kalmar, K., Fraas, M., … & Ashley, N. (2011). Evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation: Recommendations for clinical practice. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 92(3), 519-530.

(3) Stuss, D. T., & Levine, B. (2002). Adult clinical neuropsychology: Lessons from studies of the frontal lobes. Annual Review of Psychology, 53, 401-433.

(4) Teasell, R., McEwen, S., & Hagen, S. (2003). The assessment and management of adult patients with moderate and severe traumatic brain injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 84(12), 1726-1733.

(5) Vaurio, L., Riley, E. P., & Rosenbaum, S. B. (2009). Neurocognitive outcome following traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents. Neuropsychology Review, 19(1), 78-97.