Brain Injury Symptomatology

As discussed in detail elsewhere in this web page, concussion results in organic injury to the brain, in most cases, by the mechanism of diffuse axonal injury. This injury is more likely the a result of strain to axons than actual tearing, resulting in a cascade of events which can disrupt a significant number of neural connections, because of the death or damage to the axons which connect the neuron bodies. Our current research into neuropathology indicates that significant regeneration of these neural connections can occur, but that the extent of such regeneration falls off considerably with age and that the regenerated neural connections are less efficient than premorbid. For this reason, individuals in professions which place a high demand on processing speed, are more likely to experience deficits than others, and most people who have suffered more than a Grade I concussion, will have some measurable deficits, if sufficient demands are made upon their brains.

This page is primarily focused on understanding why concussion can result in permanent, although subtle, disability. Thus, this page will not include a classic discussion of the full line of symptomatology which relates to pathology in a particular part of brain, i.e., focal brain pathology. Instead, it will focus on the organic reduction in abilities that can naturally flow from concussion, and the effect of these deficits on the overall functioning of the brain, which by very nature of our existence as emotional beings, can be expected to have profound effects on the psyche.

Brain Schematic

There is a second focus of symptomatology that our primary focus does not cover. Not all, "so called mild" brain injuries, are purely diffuse in nature. To go back to the discussion of diffuse versus focal brain injuries, click here. The mistake in over emphasizing the diffuse nature of post concussion problems, is that it presumes that the medical community would have diagnosed, in the acute stage, all focal injuries. Our emergency medical system is focused almost entirely on "interventions" such as saving a life and stopping the bleeding. In such a system, the thorough type of neurological exam, and follow up to such exam, is rarely administered. And even the best neurological exam will not identify all focal pathologies. Further, while CT and MRI are better at identifying focal injuries than diffuse, focal injuries can also be microscopic, meaning they are too small to be seen with such technology.

Thus, the entire constellation of symptoms associated with focal injuries, may occur to people who were thought to have merely a concussion. In the future, this page may address the full gamet of that symptomotology, but for now, we will address only those which are most common with underdiagnosed brain injury.

Next: Symptomatology of Subtle Brain Injury

Why subtlebraininjury.com?

subtlebraininjury.com is a website with a mission to educate with respect to the magnitude of brain injury which does not involve coma - injuries that have been labeled by names which grossly minimize their potential impact upon the life of the injured person. This site is brought to you by the advocates of the Brain Injury Law Group, a community of plaintiff's trial lawyers across the United States united by a common interest in serving the rights of persons with traumatic brain injuries and a common commitment to fully understanding the anatomic, medical and psychological aspects of TBI.

Additional Information

For a full treatment of the topic of brain injury, and recovering adequate compensation for those who have survived such injury, please visit our other pages. tbilaw.com A general treatment of all types of brain injury, including severe brain injury and concussion, with a special focus on the legal aspects of recovering full and adequate compensation for such injuries. tbilaw.com has been at the cornerstone of the web advocacy of the Brain Injury Law Group since it went online in 1996. waiting.com A page designed to assist those with issues regarding coma, especially in the acute phase when the doctors are saying "I just don't know." vestibulardisorder.com Addressing vertigo and dizziness resulting from trauma as well as information and resources for vestibular disorders.

Sensory Brain

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