I n t r o d u c t i o n : The Impact of the Brain in To d a y ’s Wo r l d. . . . . . . .1

Chapter One: An Anatomy Lesson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Chapter Tw o : When Brain Injury Occurs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 4

Chapter Three: Degrees of Injury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 3

Chapter Four: In the First Degree: Mild Head Injury . . . . . . . . . . .3 8

Chapter Five: The Doctor as Detective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 9

Chapter Six: Physical Symptoms of Brain Injury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 7

Chapter Seven: Cognitive Symptoms of Brain Injury. . . . . . . . . . .7 9

Chapter Eight: Behavioral Symptoms of Brain Injury. . . . . . . . . .9 3

Chapter Nine: How to Pick the Right Rehabilitation Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 0 9

Chapter Ten: The Treatment Te a m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 2 0

Chapter Eleven: The Process of Rehabilitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 3 0

Chapter Tw e l v e :Neural Plasticity: The Exciting New Future of Recovery . . . . .155

Chapter Thirteen: The Family Circle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 6 5

Chapter Fourteen: Questions Family Members Commonly Ask. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 8 0

Epilogue: The Future is Now. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 9 5

Education and Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 9 7

S o u r c e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 0 1

I n d e x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 1 5

CO N T E N T S

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