Catastrophic Brain Injury

This volume integrates clinical and research findings on catastrophic brain injury. It addresses the pathophysiology, definition, epidemiology, and outcome of the most severe closed head injuries that typically result in death or devastating neurobehavioural sequelae.

This book integrates clinical and research findings on catastrophic brain injury. The clinical chapters address the definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and outcomes of the most severe closed head injuries that typically result in death or neurobehavioural sequelae. The chapters on experimental research include reviews of recent advances in characterizing neurochemical interactions contributing to secondary brain injury. A summary chapter synthesizes the clinical and experimental material, provides an update concerning ongoing clinical trials, and offers a perspective on future directions of research to mitigate the consequences of severe head injury.

1. Clinical and Pathological Features of Vegetative Survival
2. Epidemiology of Catastrophic Brain Injury
3. Vegetative State after Head Injury: Findings from the Traumatic Coma Data Bank
4. Cerebral Function Following Catastrophic Brain Injury: Relevance of Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography
5. Medical Problems in the Management of Catastrophic Brain Injury
6. Pharmacologic Treatment for Survivors of Severe Brain Injury
7. Cognitive and Linguistic Outcome
8. Moral, Ethical and Legal Issues Raised by Catastrophic Brain Injury
9. Family Perceptions and Family Reactions: Reconsidering "Denial"
10. Neurochemical Changes in Traumatic Brain Injury
11. Tissue Transplantation
12. Advances in Experimental Research and Clinical Intervention for Catastrophic Brain Injury: The Early 21st Century