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Abnormal

Deviating from average; inappropriate with regard to a predefined set of social standards

Abstract Attitude

An impersonal and detached state of mind.

Abstract Concept

An idea or concept unrelated to a specific object or instance. Victims of traumatic brain injury and resulting cognitive deficits may have trouble with abstract concepts.

Abstract Thinking

The ability to apply abstract concepts to one's surroundings or situation.

Abulia

Inability to make decisions or exercise will-power. Associated with low levels of spontaneity, slow reaction times and minimal verbalization; may be caused by cerebellar damage.

Acalculia

Inability to perform arithmetic functions.

Acceleration/Deceleration

Closed head injury in which the brain moves forward and backward, hitting the walls of the skull. Usually associated with automobile accidents.

Acting Out

Blanket term used to describe antisocial or impulsive behavior.

Acuity

Keenness of perception or consciousness; sharp in sensation

Acute

Severe or sharp; characterized by rapid onset and a short course. Also used to describe the early phase of an injury (antonym: chronic).

Acute Care

The initial, hospital-based phase of medical care.

Acute Rehabilitation Program

A rehabilitation program usually prescribed to traumatic brain injury victims who have recently stabilized. Acute rehabilitation is usually performed in an inpatient setting and lasts between one and three months.

Adaptive / Assistive Equipment

Devices that assist a traumatic brain injury victim in activities of daily living, such as self-care or leisure.

Adl

Activities of daily living. These can include self-care tasks such as bathing or brushing teeth and other daily living skills.

Advocacy

A set of problem-solving skills applied to helping or furthering the cause of a patient or group of individuals.

Affect

Emotions and their outward signs.

Affective

Having to do with emotions.

Aggressiveness

A state of combativeness; irritability or violence.

Agitation

A restless state; agitated patients may pace, twitch or laugh for no apparent reason.

Agnosia

Failure to recognize familiar objects, even in the absence of any actual sensory impairment.

Agraphia

Inability to express thoughts through writing.

Alcohol Or Drug Dependency

Dependence on alcohol or drugs. Traumatic brain injury victims are likely to have already abused alcohol or drugs and may become dependent on drugs or alcohol during their recovery as they deal with personality changes and cognitive deficits.

Alexia

Inability to read.

Ambulate

To walk.

Amnesia

Lack of memory. Amnesia may be temporary, concerning only a certain period of time, or permanent.

Aneurysm

A swelling in the wall of an artery. The arterial wall weakens as the balloon-like mass gets more and more swollen; a burst aneurysm can cause a hemorrhage.

Anomia

Inability to recall the names of objects, even in the presence of the ability to speak fluently.

Anosmia

Loss of sense of smell.

Anoxia

Lack of oxygen. Brain cells sustain damage when normal blood flow to the brain is reduced or blood oxygen drops too low.

Anterior

Anatomical term referring to the front.

Anterograde Amnesia

Difficulty forming new memories; inability to consolidate and process information and memories regarding recent events.

Antero-Lateral

Anatomical term referring to something located to the front and the side.

Antero-Posterior

Anatomical term referring to something located in the front and the back.

Antibody

A protein produced by the body's immune system in response to specific antigens, protecting the body against infection and foreign substances.

Anticonvulsant

A class of medication used to treat seizures.

Antidepressant

A class of medication used to treat depression.

Anti-Social Behavior

Behavior which runs counter to societal norms.

Anxiety

Feelings of agitation and fear.

Apathy

Indifference or lack of interest.

Aphasia

Loss of ability to process and use language. Usually due to a cerebral cortex injury.

Apraxia

Inability to produce speech due to muscular programming disruption secondary to brain damage.

Arachnoid Membrane

One of three membranes that protect the spinal cord.

Arousal

State of alertness necessary for all cognition.

Arterial Line

A thin catheter placed in an artery in order to measure blood pressure and blood oxygenation directly.

Articulation

Patterns of movement of the tongue, lips and teeth for purposes of speech.

Assessment

Patient evaluation. Factors may include objective findings, a patient's own subjective report, and the condition's progress.

Astereognosia

Inability to recognize objects by touch.

Ataxia

Muscle coordination problem not attributed to sensory loss, rigidity or weakness and usually caused by cerebellar or ganglial lesion.

Attention

The ability to focus on a set of stimuli or a given task.

Attention Deficits

Impairment in ability to concentrate.

Audiologist

Medical professional who evaluates hearing deficits and assists in rehabilitation. Often, audiologists prescribe and fit hearing aids for hearing-impaired patients.

Automatic

Involuntary or spontaneous.

Automatism

A state in which a patient acts without knowledge or volition. Though the patient may appear normal, he or she is actually in a trance-like state and will have no memory of his actions. Automatism is associated with severe emotional trauma and/or epilep

Autonomic Nervous System

The segment of the nervous system that controls automatic bodily functions and involuntary activities such as the beating of the heart and the functioning of the glands.

Awareness

Understanding or insight.

Axon

Nerve fibers that carry impulses from the brain to their targets and transmit information back to the brain.

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