Brain damage 304588 223859840 2008-07-06T05:14:31Z Delldot 476500 + lk [[Focal and diffuse brain injury]] {{merge|Acquired brain injury|date=May 2008}} {{Unreferenced|date=May 2007}} {{otheruses}} {{Neuropsychology}} '''Brain damage''', or [[acquired brain injury]], is the destruction or degeneration of [[brain cells]]. Brain damage may occur due to a wide range of conditions, [[illness]]es, [[injury|injuries]], and as a result of [[iatrogenesis]]. Possible causes of widespread (''diffuse'') brain damage include prolonged [[Hypoxia (medical)|hypoxia]] (shortage of [[oxygen]]), [[poison]]ing by [[teratogen]]s (including [[alcohol]]), [[infection]], and [[neurological illness]]. [[Chemotherapy]] can cause brain damage to the neural [[stem cells]] and [[oligodendrocyte]] cells that produce [[myelin]]. Common causes of [[Focal and diffuse brain injury|focal or localized brain damage]] are physical [[Physical trauma|trauma]] ([[traumatic brain injury]]), [[stroke]], [[aneurysm]], [[surgery]], or neurological illness. The extent and effect of brain injury is often assessed by the use of [[neurology|neurological examination]], [[neuroimaging]], and [[neuropsychological test|neuropsychological assessment]]. Brain injury does not necessarily result in long-term impairment or [[disability]], although the location and extent of damage both have a significant effect on the likely outcome. In serious cases of brain injury, the result can be permanent [[disability]], including [[neurocognitive deficit]]s, [[delusion]]s (often specifically [[monothematic delusion]]s), speech or movement problems, and [[Mental retardation|mental handicap]]. There may also be personality changes. Severe brain damage may result in [[persistent vegetative state]], [[coma]], or [[death]]. Brain injury whether from stroke, alcohol abuse, traumatic brain injury, or B vitamin deficiency can sometimes result in Korsakoff's Psychosis, where the individual engages in confabulations. Confabulations involve the inability to separate daydream memory from real memory and the filling in of memory lapses with daydreams. Korsakoff's Psychosis can be easily mis-diagnosed as schizophrenia. Lithium treatment is sometimes helpful. Various professions may be involved in the medical care and [[physical therapy|rehabilitation]] of someone who suffers impairment after brain damage. [[Neurologist]]s, [[neurosurgeon]]s, and [[Physical medicine and rehabilitation|physiatrist]]s are [[physician]]s who specialise in treating brain injury. [[Neuropsychology|Neuropsychologists]] (especially [[clinical neuropsychology|clinical neuropsychologists]]) are [[psychologist]]s who specialise in understanding the effects of brain injury and may be involved in assessing the extent of brain damage or creating [[rehabilitation (neuropsychology)|rehabilitation]] programmes. [[Occupational therapy|Occupational therapists]] may be involved in running rehabilitation programs to help restore lost function or help re-learn essential skills. It is a common misconception that brain damage sustained during childhood has a better chance of successful recovery than similar injury acquired in adult life. It is contested that in recent studies, severe brain damage inflicted upon children can be alleviated by the interaction of nicotinamide repropagation in nerve cells. In fact, the consequences of childhood injury may simply be more difficult to detect in the short term. This is because different [[cerebral cortex|cortical]] areas mature at different stages, with some major cell populations and their corresponding cognitive faculties remaining unrefined until early adulthood. In the case of a child with frontal brain injury, for example, the impact of the damage may be undetectable until that child fails to develop normal executive functions in his or her late teens and early twenties. The effects of impairment or [[disability]] resulting from brain injury may be treated by a number of methods, including [[medication]], [[psychotherapy]], [[Rehabilitation (neuropsychology)|neuropsychological rehabilitation]], [[snoezelen]], [[surgery]], or physical implants such as [[deep brain stimulation]]. ==See also== * [[Cerebral Palsy]] * [[Epilepsy]] * [[Fetal alcohol syndrome]] * [[Head injury]] * [[Lobotomy]] * [[Frontal lobe injury]] * [[Neurocognitive deficit]] * [[Neurology]] * [[Rehabilitation (neuropsychology)]] * [[Traumatic brain injury]] ==References== <references/> ==External links== *[http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/headandbraininjuries.html Head and Brain Injuries] from MedlinePlus *[http://drdiane.com/brain/about.htm Dr.Diane.com] Information on brain injury and related rehabilitation services. *[http://www.braininjury.org.au/ Fact sheets on brain damage, its effects, and strategies for survivors and their families] *[http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/brain_injury/ Brain Damage Research] from ScienceDaily *[http://www.neuroskills.com/ TBI Resource Guide] Central source of information, services and products relating to brain injury, brain injury recovery, and post-acute rehabilitation. * [http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Brain_injury:Recovery Recovery from Acquired Brain Injury] from the Psychology Wiki *[http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec15/ch198/ch198b.html?qt=confabulation&alt=sh] [[Category:Neurotrauma]] [[Category:Neurosurgery]] [[Category:Neurology]] [[Category:Causes of death]] [[de:Hirnschaden]] [[ko:뇌손상]] [[is:Heilaskemmd]] [[pt:Lesão cerebral]] [[fi:Aivovaurio]] [[sv:Hjärnskada]]