ABSTRACT
A diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in either the acute or chronic patient raises one example that highlights the interrelationship between central nervous system injury and associated behavioral and psychological sequelae. Trauma is a common cause of brain injury, and TBI is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Computed tomography (CT) has revolutionized the early diagnosis and treatment of patients with moderate to severe TBI. Many clinicians assume that because of brain plasticity, children will have a better prognosis for neurobehavioral recovery after TBI than will adults. An understanding of cognitive and behavioral deficits first requires an understanding of the neuropathology of diffuse and focal injuries and the different patterns of recovery associated with them. Frequently reported behavioral sequelae after TBI include agitation, disinhibition, depression, apathy, mania, and psychosis.
