ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the relation of brain imaging findings to neurobehavioural disability (NBD) and social handicap following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is that where damage occurs in the brain makes a difference. An additional basic premise is that neuroimaging methods can identify neural systems that underlie social-emotional functioning where damage relates to NBD and social handicap. Understanding the brain's role in social-emotional functioning was mostly overlooked until the mid to late twentieth century. The family milieu and social support network, continues to play a critical role for the individual with brain injury at any age. The Social Outcomes of Brain Injury in Kids specifically examined social behaviour in paediatric TBI, although the focus was not on disability determination. A wonderfully supportive family helped the patient cope and provided social context and support. Neuroimaging has the capability of providing objective information where brain pathology may reside and whether damage involves areas in social-emotional networks of the brain related to NBD.
