Information
This section provides a round up of all the information UKABIF has collated about acquired brain injury. It is an evolving library so please send updates and additions. Where information is provided by other individuals and organisations we cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of the detail. We do, however, always quote our sources.
Definition
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is defined as non-degenerative injury to the brain occurring since birth. It can be caused by an external physical force or by metabolic derangement. The term ‘acquired brain injury’ includes traumatic brain injuries, such as open or closed head injuries, or non-traumatic brain injuries, such as those caused by strokes and other vascular accidents, tumours, infectious diseases, hypoxia, metabolic disorders (e.g. liver and kidney diseases or diabetic coma), and toxic products taken into the body through inhalation or ingestion.
Data
Of all types of injury, those to the brain are among the most likely to result in death or permanent disability. Brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide.
Policy
One of UKABIF's primary aims is to improve services for people with ABI in the UK. We aim to inform policy makers about ABI and the requirements in terms of care provision.
Research
There is a vast amount of research in the field of Acquired Brain Injury and we hope to highlight some of the relevant projects on this page.
