MACE Traumatic Brain Injury Pathophysiology

Question 1

What is a concussion (mild TBI)?

Accepted Answer

A traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, jolt, or blast that alters brain function, typically without structural damage visible on standard imaging

Answer

A broken skull bone

Answer

A spinal cord injury

Answer

A psychological stress reaction

Question 2

What is the neurometabolic cascade following concussion?

Accepted Answer

A series of cellular and metabolic changes including ionic flux, energy crisis, axonal injury, and neuroinflammation that impair brain function

Answer

The physical impact of the skull hitting the brain

Answer

Bleeding inside the skull

Answer

Swelling of the brain stem

Question 3

What is second impact syndrome?

Accepted Answer

A rare but potentially fatal condition where a second concussion occurs before the first has fully resolved, causing rapid brain swelling

Answer

Getting two concussions in a career

Answer

Being hit twice in the same game

Answer

A scoring term in boxing

Question 4

How do blast injuries cause TBI in military settings?

Accepted Answer

Primary blast waves create rapid pressure changes that damage brain tissue, axons, and blood vessels even without direct head impact

Answer

Only shrapnel causes TBI in blast events

Answer

Blast waves cannot cause brain injury

Answer

Only soldiers near the blast center are affected

Question 5

What is post-concussion syndrome (PCS)?

Accepted Answer

A condition where concussion symptoms persist beyond the expected recovery period, typically longer than 3 months after injury

Answer

A condition that only affects older adults

Answer

An immediate reaction to concussion

Answer

A psychological condition unrelated to brain injury

Question 6

What is chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)?

Accepted Answer

A progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with repeated head trauma, diagnosed definitively only at autopsy

Answer

An acute condition occurring immediately after head trauma

Answer

A curable form of brain injury

Answer

A condition caused by a single concussion