Psychology Press Recovery After Traumatic Brain Injury (Institute for Research in Behavioral Neuroscience Series)

Emotions, behaviors, thoughts, creations, planning, daily physical activities, and routines are programmed within our brains. To acquire these capacities, the brain takes time to fully develop--a process that may take the first 20 years of life. Disruptions of the brain involving neurons, axons, dendrites, synapses, neurotransmitters or brain infrastructure produce profound changes in development and functions of the one organ that makes us unique. To understand the functions and development of the brain is difficult enough, but to reverse the consequences of trauma and repair the damage is even more challenging. To meet this challenge and increase understanding, a host of disciplines working and communicating together are required. The International Association for the Study of Traumatic Brain Injury tried to correct this limitation during its meetings of international clinicians, researchers, and scientists from many fields. It was felt that many of the outstanding thoughts and ideas from the participants' most recent meeting and from others working in the field of traumatic brain injury (TBI) should be shared. This book was conceived not as proceedings of the conference, but as a collection of knowledge for those working in the acute and chronic recovery aspects of head injury. This book reflects the importance of the team approach to patients with TBI. The chapter authors come from a diverse array of disciplines--basic science, neurosurgery, neurology, radiology, psychology, neuropsychology, and legal, consumer, and speech/language science. Their contributions provide the most current research and the latest ways of managing a variety of aspects of TBI. Review "...an engaging, informative, and manageable text that addresses many of the latest developments in the field."—Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation "...the chapters illustrate a wide range of approaches to a problem and alert the reader to aspects that might not otherwise have been considered."—Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology "(the book)...will give the reader a useful overview of both current research and persistent problems in the treatment of TBI. This book will b e a valuable addition to the libraries of rehabilitation professionals, and others will find it an important reference source for research-related issues."—The HNS Newletter "I recommend this book to specialists in pediatric brain injury rehabilitation and special education as a source of proposals and examples of interventions."—Journal of Neuropsychological Society "This text offers a comprehensive look at traumatic brain injury recovery and rehabilitation for researchers and clinicians, with information gleaned from contributed medical and clinical research efforts."—UPDATE- Family Caregiver Alliance