11.0 - Glossary of Terms
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| ADHD | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder usually manifests in childhood or adolescence, and tends to linger through adulthood. Behaviours include difficulty maintaining attention, hypersensitivity to stimuli, incessant talking, impulsivity, incessant movement, ignoring or tuning out, anxiety, frustration and irritability. |
| Adynamia | A lack of motivation after trauma to the frontal lobes. Characterised by difficulty initiating activities or completing tasks. Gives the appearance of lethargy. |
| Affect | Your experience of an emotion, and the behaviour that arises from it. |
| Agnosia | A disorder of recognition from injury to higher order information processing cells which can result in an inability to recognise or distinguish faces or objects. |
| Agraphia | Inability to write that can arise from trauma to areas of brain responsible for cognitive or motor skills necessary to write. |
| Akinesia | Inability to move ("freezing") due to problems selecting and activating muscle programs in the brain. |
| Alculia | A disorder characterised by an inability to comprehend or write numbers or perform arithmetic operations. |
| Alexia | Inability to read due to brain damage causing cognitive or visual problems. |
| Alzheimer's Disease | Degenerative disorder of the brain with cognitive decline due to appearance of senile plaques followed by development of neurofibrillary tangles in the dying cells of the brain. |
| Amnesia | Complete or partial loss of memory. Traumatic Brain Injury can cause retrograde amnesia (loss of recall of events right before the trauma) and/or anterograde amnesia (loss of recall of events for some period of time after the trauma). |
| Anhedonia | An inability to experience pleasure from normally pleasurable life events such as eating, exercise and social or sexual interaction. |
| Anomia | The inability to find words. Literally, "without naming ability". |
| Anoneiria | Inability to dream due to trauma of the areas of the brain responsible for creating dreams, which may include the medio-basal forebrain, inferior parietal cortex, medial temporal lobe or occipito-temporal cortex. |
| Anosmia | Loss of the sense of smell by either mechanical damage to the olfactory nerve or damage to areas in the anterior temporal or oribito-frontal lobes that process the sense of smell. |
| Anoxia | No oxygen in cells of the body. If prolonged, will cause cell death. Can be due to no oxygen reaching the blood, e.g. through strangulation or suffocation, or can be due to no blood reaching the cells, e.g. through the heart stopping or blood flow being stopped in one area by an embolism. |
| Aphasia | Difficulty understanding or expressing language as a result of damage to the brain. |
| Apraxia | Inability to voluntarily perform skilled and purposeful movements, but not accompanied by a loss of sensory function or paralysis. |
| Arterial Line | A thin tube (catheter) inserted into an artery to allow direct measurement of the blood pressure, amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. |
| Ataxia | Abnormal movements due to the loss of coordination of the muscles. |
| Autism | Developmental disorder of the brain that may lead to lack of social response, inability to cope with change, ritualised behaviours. |
| Blood Clot | A solidified localised collection of blood. |
| Bradykinesia | The slowing down and loss of voluntary movement and speech. Is often a feature of Parkinson's disease and diseases of the basal ganglia. |
| Brain Stem | The lower extension of the brain where it extends to the spinal cord. Neurological functions located in the brain stem include those necessary for survival (breathing, heart rate) and for arousal (being awake and alert). |
| Burr Hole | A 10-20mm surgical drill hole made through the skull. |
| CAT Scan | Computerised Axial Tomography, also known as Computerised Tomography or CT Scan. A scanning technique that uses a rotating X-ray machine to record slices of your body. |
| Catheter | A tube which is inserted into any body part to withdraw or introduce fluids. |
| Cerebellum | The portion of the brain (located at the back) which helps coordinate movement. Damage may result in ataxia. |
| Cerebral | Of or relating to the brain. |
| Cerebral Angiogram | X-ray picture of the blood vessels inside the head. A drug is injected via the groin artery which outlines these cerebral vessels. |
| Cerebral Cortex | The outer layer of the brain, responsible for cognitive processes including reasoning, mood, perception of stimuli and other thought processes. |
| Cerebro-Spinal Fluid | Liquid which fills the ventricles of the brain and surrounds the brain and spinal cord. |
| Cognitive | The functions of the mind by which we become aware of all aspects of perceiving, thinking and remembering. |
| Coma | The state of not being responsive or able to be aroused. Person does not open their eyes, follow commands or speak. |
| Concussion | Disruption of brain function usually from a blunt impact to the head causing the brain to bounce inside the skull. |
| Contrecoup | Bruising of the brain tissue on the side opposite to where the blow was struck. |
| Craniectomy | Surgical removal of a section of the skull. |
| Craniotomy | The making of a surgical opening through the skull, by removing a segment of bone, which is usually replaced. This allows access to the brain and its coverings. |
| CSF | CSF or Cerebro-Spinal Fluid is liquid which fills the ventricles of the brain and surrounds the brain and spinal cord. |
| CT Scan | Computerised Axial Tomography. Series of X-rays at all different levels of the brain. |
| Diffuse Brain Injury | Injury to cells in many areas of the brain rather than in one specific location. |
| Disinhibition | Unrestrained behavior resulting from a lessening or loss of inhibitions and lack of control over impulses due to frontal lobe trauma. |
| Dysarthria | Speech impairment resulting from damage to the nerves and areas of the brain that control the muscles used in forming words. |
| Dysautonomia | A malfunctioning of the autonomic nervous system, presenting primarily as ineffective temperature regulation and ineffective regulation of heart-rate and breathing. |
| Dysexecutive Syndrome | Impaired executive abilities, usually resulting from damage to the frontal lobes. Executive abilities including attention and concentration, planning and initiation, problem solving and monitoring of goal-directed activities. |
| Dyskinesia | An impaired ability to make voluntary movements, resulting in uncoordinated or involuntary movements. |
| Dysphagia | Difficulty with swallowing. |
| Dysphasia | Difficulty understanding or expressing language as a result of damage to the brain. |
| Dyspraxia | Difficulty performing voluntary movements not due to weakness but because of motor coordinating problems. |
| Echolalia | Imitation of sounds or words without comprehension. This is a normal stage of language development in infants but is abnormal in adults. |
| EEG | EEG or Electroencephalogram is a test used to record any changes in the electrical activity of the brain by placing electrodes on the scalp. An EEG is used in the testing of epilepsy. |
| Electroencephalogram | Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test used to record any changes in the electrical activity of the brain by placing electrodes on the scalp. An EEG is used in the testing of epilepsy. |
| Embolism | Blood clots are the clumps that result from coagulation of the blood (blood hardens from liquid to solid). A blood clot that forms in a blood vessel or within the heart and remains there is called a thrombus. A thrombus that travels to another location in the body is called an embolus. The disorder is called an embolism. For example, an embolus that occurs in the brain is called a cerebral embolism. |
| Embolus | Blood clots are the clumps that result from coagulation of the blood (blood hardens from liquid to solid). A blood clot that forms in a blood vessel or within the heart and remains there is called a thrombus. A thrombus that travels to another location in the body is called an embolus. The disorder is called an embolism. For example, an embolus that occurs in the brain is called a cerebral embolism. |
| Emotional lability | Repeated, rapid, abrupt shifts in emotion that are not related to external stimuli. |
| Epilepsy | A seizure disorder: A chronic condition caused by temporary changes in the electrical function of the brain, causing seizures which affect awareness, movement or sensation. |
| Executive Function | Range of abilities to plan, monitor oneself, learning from experience and accomplish steps to reach a goal. Often affected by frontal lobe injury. |
| Focal Brain Injury | Injury restricted to one region (as opposed to diffuse). |
| Frontal Lobes | The region of the brain directly behind the forehead. Responsible for planning, organising, problem solving, selective attention, personality and a variety of “higher cognitive functions”. Damage can cause changes to personality, dysexecutive syndrome, problems with spoken language and impaired social skills. |
| GAAT | The Queensland Guardianship and Administration Tribunal, a department of the Justice Department of Queensland. |
| Glasgow Coma Scale | Measures the degree of disturbed consciousness arising from trauma. |
| Haematoma | A collection of blood in an organ, space or tissue, due to a break in the wall of a blood vessel. |
| Hard Collar | Stiff plastic collar worn to support the neck. |
| Hemianopia | Blindness in the same sides of both eyes which can follow damage to the brain. This can cause an inability to see on the left or right side. |
| Hemiparesis | Weakness, partial paralysis or loss of movement that only affects one side of the body. |
| Hemiplegia | Paralysis of one side of the body. May be associated with spasticity - increased muscle tension and spasms. |
| Heterotopic Ossification | Abnormal deposits of bone in muscle. |
| Homeostasis | The ability of the body to maintain a stable internal environment, e.g. temperature, breathing, blood-sugar levels. Mainly controlled by the Autonomic Nervous System through the hypothalamus. |
| Hydrocephalus | Enlargement of the ventricles due to an increase of fluid (CSF) on the brain. |
| Hypertension | Abnormally high blood pressure. |
| Hypotension | Abnormally low blood pressure. |
| Hypothalamus | Small region of the brain at the top of the brain stem which regulates the Autonomic Nervous System. |
| Hypoxia | An insufficient supply of oxygen to cells of the body. May result in cell death if severe. Can be through not enough oxygen reaching the blood, e.g. due to drowning or carbon monoxide poisoning, or not enough blood reaching the cells, e.g. due to bleeding or constricted blood vessels such as a blood clot causing a stroke. |
| ICP | Intracranial Pressure: A measure of the amount of pressure inside the skull from brain tissue, blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Increased pressure is a sign of intracranial hemorrhage or cerebral swelling that can lead to secondary brain injury. |
| Impulsivity | A tendency to rush into something without thinking or reflecting first. |
| Intra-Cerebral Haematoma | A blood clot in the brain that occurs due to trauma, also commonly resulting from a stroke. |
| Intracranial Pressure Monitor | A monitoring device to determine the pressure within the brain. It consists of a small tube (catheter) in contact with the pulsating brain or the fluid cavity within it. ICP is measured by means of a metal screw or a plastic catheter connected to an electronic measuring device. |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging | (MRI) Enables detailed pictures of the brain to be acquired using a scanning machine. It uses a strong magnet rather than X-rays. |
| Migraine | Severe headache often associated with sensitivity to light or noise. May emerge after acquiring a brain injury. |
| Minimally Responsive State | (MRS) A state of consciousness following a coma in which the patient appears to be awake but is unable to respond to their environment and can only make reflex movements. Previously known as Persistent Vegetative State or PVS. |
| MRI | MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging enables detailed pictures of the brain to be acquired using a scanning machine. It uses a strong magnet rather than X-rays. |
| MRS | Minimally Responsive State. A state of consciousness following a coma in which the patient appears to be awake but is unable to respond to their environment and can only make reflex movements. Previously known as Persistent Vegetative State or PVS. |
| Neuropsychologist | A psychologist with further studies in brain function, personality and behaviour. |
| Occipital Lobes | Region in the back of the brain which processes visual information. Damage to this lobe can cause visual deficits. |
| Oedema | Increased fluid content in the brain causing swelling. |
| Parietal Lobes | Left and right lobes located in the middle and top of the brain. Responsible for visual attention and processing, spatial awareness, touch perception and manipulation, voluntary movements, and the integration of different senses. Damage can cause difficulty with identifying or naming objects, difficulty with writing or mathematics and difficulty with motor coordination or being aware of space and distance. |
| Peg Tube | Short for “Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy” tube. A tube inserted into the stomach through the abdominal wall to provide food or other nutrients when eating by mouth is not possible. Commonly used for patients in a COMA or PERSISTENT VEGETATIVE STATE. |
| Perseveration | The inappropriate persistence of a response in a current task which may have been appropriate for a former task. Perseverations may be verbal or motoric. |
| Persistent Vegetative State | (PVS) A state in which the CEREBRAL CORTEX stops working. A person in a PVS may open their eyes but can not understand what is happening around them, communicate or make voluntary movements. See also Minimally Responsive State (MRS). |
| Post Traumatic Amnesia | (PTA) The period after being in a coma when there is confused behaviour and no continuous memory of day-to-day events. |
| Premorbid | Existing before the injury. This can refer to attitudes, interests, personality traits or medical conditions. |
| Proprioception | The sensory awareness of the position of body parts with or without movement. |
| PTA | Post Traumatic Amnesia: The period after concussion or being in a coma when there is confused behaviour and no continuous memory of day-to-day events. |
| PVS | Persistent Vegetative State or PVS is a state in which the CEREBRAL CORTEX stops working. A person in a PVS may open their eyes but can not understand what is happening around them, communicate or make voluntary movements. See also Minimally Responsive State (MRS). |
| Seizure | An uncontrolled discharge of nerve cells, usually lasting only a few minutes. It may be associated with loss of consciousness, loss of bowel and bladder control, and tremors. |
| Sequela | Occurring as a result of an illness or injury e.g., a loss in short-term memory following a brain injury. |
| Shunt | An apparatus designed to remove excessive fluid from the brain. A surgically placed tube which transfers fluid into either the abdominal cavity, heart or large veins of the neck. |
| Spasticity | An involuntary increase in muscle tone (tension). |
| SPECT | Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography. A diagnostic scan that uses a small, safe amount of a radioactive drug to measure blood flow inside the brain. Not as sensitive as a PET scan, but more useful for examining seizure activity. |
| Symptom | Evidence of an illness or injury i.e., anything that the patient experiences as a result of that illness or injury. |
| Tachycardia | Excessively rapid heartbeat. Usually refers to a heartbeat of greater than 100 beats per minute (BPM). |
| Temporal Lobes | Two lobes, one on each side of the brain located at about the level of the ears. Responsible for interpreting and understanding sounds, categorisation of objects, some visual processing and short and long term memory. Damage can result in impaired memory, hearing and recognition of objects. |
| Thermoregulation | The maintenance of a stable body temperature. Thermoregulation can be impaired through damage to the brain stem, particularly the HYPOTHALAMUS. |
| Thrombus | Blood clots are the clumps that result from coagulation of the blood (blood hardens from liquid to solid). A blood clot that forms in a blood vessel or within the heart and remains there is called a thrombus. A thrombus that travels to another location in the body is called an embolus. The disorder is called an embolism. For example, an embolus that occurs in the brain is called a cerebral embolism. |
| Tracheostomy | This is a breathing tube inserted through the middle of the neck just below the voice box. Through this tube an adequate air passage can be maintained. It may be necessary to leave the tube in the windpipe for a prolonged period. |
| Ventilator | This is a machine that does the breathing work for the unresponsive patient. It delivers moistened (humidified) air with the appropriate percentage of oxygen and at the appropriate rate and pressure. |
| Ventricles | Cavities (spaces) inside the brain which contain cerebro-spinal fluid. |
Reference: http://braininjury.org.au/portal/component/option,com_glossary/Itemid,363
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