What is an ABI? - Acquired Brain Injury Ireland

Acquired Brain Injury can be defined as any brain injury that occurs with rapid-onset during a person’s life. It can be:

Damage to brain tissue following traumatic injuries – resulting from road traffic accidents, falls, assaults, sports injuries

Damage to the brain following stroke (through haemorrhage or aneurysm), brain surgery or a brain tumour

Damage to brain tissue as a result of viral infection (e.g. following encephalitis, meningitis, syphilis)

Damage to brain resulting from lack of oxygen (e.g. as a result of heart attacks, hypoxia or anoxia)

Acquired Brain Injury has been described as a silent epidemic. People with ABI may often look fine but can have many problems which mean they cannot resume their previous lives or even return home.

Brain injury is for life and individuals with ABI and their families can face a dramatically altered life as a result. Damage to the brain may result in a personality change and can affect one or more of the following:

Memory

Speech & language

Mobility

Sight

Understanding of situations

Judgement

Ability to cope with pressure

Concentration

The ability to organise oneself and their finances

All these affect a person’s ability to take control of their lives and can lead to social isolation and depression. Financial and emotional strain on carers can be considerable.

Skills & Functions Associated with the Lobes of the Brain. Changes observed after Brain Injury
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