CBIS Brain Injury Pathophysiology and Neuroscience Flashcards

Which brain structure, often damaged in TBI, plays a central role in emotional regulation and threat response?

Answer: Amygdala

The amygdala processes emotional responses including fear and aggression, and TBI-related damage to it frequently contributes to emotional dysregulation and behavioral changes in survivors.

What is neuroplasticity in the context of TBI rehabilitation?

Answer: The brain's ability to reorganize neural connections and compensate for damaged areas through experience and therapy

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's capacity to form new synaptic connections and reorganize existing pathways, which is the neurological foundation for functional recovery through rehabilitation.

Which frontal lobe function is most commonly impaired after TBI and is a focus of the CBIS exam?

Answer: Executive function, including planning, impulse control, and decision-making

The frontal lobes house executive functions — planning, inhibition, working memory, and decision-making — and are among the most frequently and significantly impaired areas following TBI.

What is a cerebral contusion in TBI?

Answer: Bruising of brain tissue involving micro-hemorrhages and tissue damage at the injury site

A cerebral contusion is a bruise on the brain surface involving areas of hemorrhage, necrosis, and edema, typically caused by the brain striking the inner skull during impact.

What does the Rancho Los Amigos Levels of Cognitive Functioning Scale measure?

Answer: Progressive stages of cognitive and behavioral recovery following TBI, from no response to purposeful and appropriate behavior

The Rancho Los Amigos Scale describes 10 levels of cognitive and behavioral recovery after TBI, from Level I (no response) to Level X (purposeful, appropriate, modified independence), guiding rehabilitation planning.

What is cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and its importance in TBI management?

Answer: The difference between mean arterial pressure and intracranial pressure; adequate CPP is essential to prevent ischemia

CPP = MAP – ICP, and maintaining a CPP of at least 60 mmHg is a key goal in TBI management to ensure the brain receives adequate blood flow and avoids secondary ischemic injury.