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North Dakota Brain Injury Network

  1. NDBIN
  2. Brain Injury In North Dakota

Types of Brain Injury

An acquired brain injury (ABI) is often described as either nontraumatic or traumatic based on the cause of the injury.

Two Types of Brain Injury

Nontraumatic Brain Injury

A nontraumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital, or degenerative. Nontraumatic brain injuries are caused by some medical conditions, including strokes, encephalitis, aneurysms, anoxia (lack of oxygen during surgery, drug overdose, or near drowning), metabolic disorders, meningitis, or brain tumors.

Causes of nontraumatic brain injury.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an insult to the brain, not of a degenerative or congenital nature, which is caused by an external physical force that may produce a diminished or altered state of consciousness and which results in an impairment of cognitive abilities or physical functioning. It can also result in the disturbance of behavioral or emotional functioning.

Causes of traumatic brain injury.

How Common Are Brain Injuries

Currently, more than 3.1 million children and adults in the U.S. live with a lifelong disability as a result of a TBI, and 6.4 million have a disability due to a stroke. This translates to more than 22,000 North Dakotans living with disability from an acquired brain injury – close to the population of Mandan.

Resources and Support

If you or someone you know has been impacted by brain injury, we are here to help. Contact us at the North Dakota Brain Injury Network for information and support.