What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a disruption of normal brain function resulting from a blow, bump, or jolt to the head. TBI is classified as penetrating or non-penetrating, with penetrating injuries involving objects piercing the skull and non-penetrating injuries caused by external forces that move the brain within the skull. TBI is further categorized into mild, moderate, and severe based on factors like the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, duration of loss of consciousness, and post-traumatic amnesia. Though the initial severity classification provides a baseline, the long-term consequences of TBI are determined by the resulting symptoms and functional impairments. Even a mild TBI can lead to persistent symptoms, while some individuals with severe injuries may achieve a good recovery.