Brain Injury Terms and Definitions

Alzheimer's disease
Severe form of dementia caused by significant deterioration of brain tissue.

closed head injury
An injury to the head or brain in which the skull remains intact.

brain plasticity
Theories based on the idea that the brain may have the ability to use surviving brain cells in a different way to make up for those brain cells that are damaged.

cerebellum
The portion of the brain mainly responsible for balance and coordination.

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS causes degeneration of the nerve cells in certain regions of the brain and spinal cord that control the muscles.

trigeminal neuralgia
A painful condition caused by a disturbance in the function of the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain.

BDPM
Birth Defects Monitoring Program

Gastrointestinal Birth Defect
Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula, intestinal atresia, biliary atresia

Spina bifida
Is a condition that often has disabling consequences. With severe spina bifida, a person’s legs and feet are paralyzed, and there are problems with bowel and bladder control. Learning disabilities are common, and mental retardation sometimes occurs

aneurysm
The localized enlargement of a blood vessel, usually an artery, that forms a bulge or sac.