Acquired brain injuries and CTE Flashcards
what are the impacts of ABI on biological functioning
seizures, movement impairment and smeel/oflaction impairment
what causes seizures
occur as a result of scars left by brain injury that produce a sudden abnormal electrical disturbance in the brain
what causes movement impairment
paralysis occurs because the brain is unable to send adequate motor neural messages to the bodys skeletal muscles (can occur as a result of injury to any part of tthe brain)
why does olfactory/smell impairment occur
an obstructed nasal airway or harmed neural pathway
smell/olfactory impairment may be…
temporary or permanent loss of smell, loss of some smells, increased sensitivity to some smells
impact of ABI om psychological functioning
memory loss, personality changes, increased susceptibility
how does memory loss occur
if certain areas of the brain which control memory are damaged (e.g. hippocampus)
memory loss can be..
short term, long term, complete amnesia
how do personality changes occur
following a brain injury, particuraly to the frontal lobe, can cause alterations in an individuals emotional and behavioural regulations
increased susceptibility to mental health disorders occur why
dysfunction in certain areas of the brain, brain injury can induce or exacerbate mental health
impact of ABI on social functioning
job productivity, social support, antisocial behavioural
CTE stands for
chronic traumatic encephalopathy
chronic traumatic encephalopathy
a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated head injuries and concussion
neurodegenerative disease
disease characterised by the progressive loss of neurons in the brain
How is CTE a neurodegenerative disease
because in CTE, damage to neurons occurs overtime and brain functioning progressively worsens
how can CTE cause death
CTE can become fatal as the brain reaches its point of [degeneration in which it is difficult to function and sustain life
who is CTE most prevelent in
older athletes, war veterans and other people who have had repeated concussions, typically appears 8-10 yrs after concussions
symptoms of CTE
memory loss, behavioural changes, problems with attention and concentration
how are the four stages of cte described
very mild, mild, moderate and severe
what occurs during stage 1 (very mild) of CTE
headaches, loss of attention and concentration
what occurs during stage 2 (mild) of CTE
mood swings, depression
what occurs during stage 3 (moderate) of CTE
memory loss, executive dysfunction
what occurs during stage 4 (severe) of CTE
dementia, language difficulties and paranoia
how can CTE be comppletely confirmed/diagnosed
through a post-mortem autopsy, not possible to diagnose CTE through neuroimaging
what indicates that CTE is present in an individual
the build-up of p-tau (a protein) in regions of the brain - this can be determined through a structural neuroimaging technique
neurofibrillary tangles
stops the neuron from transporting essential substances, impairs communication and results in neural death
why cant CTE be diagnosed easily
symptoms are very simsilar to parkinsons and alzheimers
what are the treatments of CTE
CTE is incurable and irreversable but medications can be used to manage symptoms and therapies to stabilise mood, cognition and behaviour, prevention is key
how is CTE prevented
timely treatment of concusion, adhering to rest rules, wearing helmets
