Acquired Brain Injury

When the brain is injured, simple tasks can become a challenge

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is defined as damage to the brain that occurs after birth. It can happen to anyone in an instant.

ABI is a catastrophic injury that can result in a variety of difficulties including: cognitive, physical, social and psychological. These difficulties can create challenges throughout the person's lifetime.

ABI can be either traumatic or non-traumatic.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from trauma caused by external force to the head such as in motor vehicle crashes, falls, sports injuries, blast injury or violence. A concussion is a TBI and is sometimes called a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Non-traumatic brain injury (nTBI) can occur from illness, infection, brain tumours, etc.

The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation ABI program focuses on: 

• Concussion/Mild TBI - improving diagnosis, management and consistency of care
• Moderate to severe ABI - addressing acute care, rehabilitation and community participation
• Systematic Reviews, Guidelines and Measurements - influencing standardized care through systematic reviews, development of guidelines and evaluation
• Best Practice Implementation - ensuring that research outcomes are reflected in practice and policy

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For more information about the Acquired Brain Injury Program, please contact Senior Program Director, Corinne Kagan.