CBIS CBIS Brain Injury Pathophysiology and Neuroscience

Question 1

What is 'primary brain injury' in the context of traumatic brain injury (TBI)?

Accepted Answer

Immediate mechanical damage occurring at the moment of impact

Answer

Primary brain injury refers to the immediate, direct mechanical damage to brain tissue that occurs at the moment of the traumatic impact.

Question 2

Which brain region is most critically associated with memory consolidation and is frequently damaged in TBI?

Accepted Answer

Hippocampus

Answer

The hippocampus plays a central role in consolidating short-term memories into long-term storage and is highly vulnerable to TBI-related damage.

Question 3

What does the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) measure in TBI patients?

Accepted Answer

Level of consciousness through eye, verbal, and motor responses

Answer

The GCS assesses a patient's level of consciousness by scoring eye opening, verbal response, and motor response, with a total range of 3–15.

Question 4

What is diffuse axonal injury (DAI)?

Accepted Answer

Widespread shearing of axons throughout the brain caused by rotational forces

Answer

DAI results from rotational acceleration-deceleration forces that shear axons broadly across the brain, often causing prolonged unconsciousness without visible focal lesions.

Question 5

Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in excitotoxicity following a TBI?

Accepted Answer

Glutamate

Answer

After TBI, massive release of glutamate over-stimulates NMDA receptors, flooding neurons with calcium and triggering excitotoxic cell death.

(CBIS) Certified Brain Injury Specialist Practice Test

(CBIS) Certified Brain Injury Specialist Practice Test

CBIS CBIS Brain Injury Pathophysiology and Neuroscience