Causes of acquired brain injury can include:

  • Trauma to the head and/or neck
  • Traumatic brain injury with or without skull fracture, blood loss from open wounds, artery impingement from forceful impact, shock
  • Vascular disruption
  • Heart attack, stroke, arteriovenous malformation (AVM), aneurysm, intracranial surgery
  • Infectious disease, intracranial tumors, metabolic disorders
  • Meningitis, certain venereal diseases, AIDS, insect-carried diseases, brain tumors, hypo/hyperglycemia, hepatic encephalopathy, uremic encephalopathy, seizure disorders
  • Toxic exposure
  • Illegal drug use, alcohol abuse, lead, carbon monoxide poisoning, toxic chemicals, chemotherapy (in rare cases)
  • Airway obstruction
  • Near-drowning, throat swelling, choking, strangulation, crush injuries to the chest
  • Electrical shock or lightening strike Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury

Leading causes of traumatic brain injury:

  • Airway obstruction
  • Near-drowning, throat swelling, choking, strangulation, crush injuries to the chest
  • Electrical shock or lightening strike
  • Falls (especially Seniors and Children)
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Being struck or striking a hard object
  • Assaults or violence
  • Blasts or Explosions