What is acquired brain injury (ABI)?

ABI is brain damage that occurs after normal development, producing losses in previously acquired functions such as cognition, motor and sensory systems, communication, and behavior or emotional regulation.

How many people live with ABI in Spain?

Approximately 420,000 people in Spain live with ABI; about 78% of cases originate from stroke and 22% from traumatic injuries.

What are the main causes of acquired brain injury?

The main causes are traumatic brain injuries (often from traffic accidents), cerebrovascular accidents (strokes), and brain tumors.

Which functions are commonly affected by ABI?

ABI commonly affects cognitive functioning, motor and sensory abilities, communication skills, and the capacity to regulate behavior and emotions.

What rehabilitation approach is recommended for ABI?

A holistic, intensive, multidisciplinary, and comprehensive rehabilitation—addressing physical, psychological, and social needs—is recommended to maximize independence and quality of life.

When is Acquired Brain Injury Day and why is it important?

Acquired Brain Injury Day is observed on October 26 to raise awareness, promote specialized neurorehabilitation, and support social inclusion for affected people and families.

NeuronUP brings you closer to Acquired Brain Injury

In Spain it is estimated that 420.000 people live with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), of which 78% originate as a result of a stroke and 22% from trauma. Today, October 26, is Acquired Brain Injury Day, and NeuronUP joins the cause of providing support and solutions to all affected people and their families.

Acquired Brain Injury: causes

ABI occurs after an injury to a brain that previously had developed normally. Its most frequent causes are traumatic brain injuries (generally car accidents), cerebrovascular accidents and tumors. As a consequence of the injury there are losses of previously developed brain functions: cognitive functioning, the motor and sensory systems, communication skills, and the ability to regulate behavior and emotions.

Acquired Brain Injury: Rehabilitation

These losses require a professional and comprehensive (physical, psychological and social) intervention. Therefore, it is essential to develop rehabilitation programs that are holistic, intensive, multidisciplinary and comprehensive for the integration of people with acquired brain injury into society with the greatest possible independence and functionality or, in other words, the best possible quality of life.

From the Spanish Federation of Brain Injury (FEDACE) call for “a specialized rehabilitation that guarantees social inclusion and helps to achieve an adequate quality of life”. It states that “neurorehabilitation is fundamental because it can allow us to recover our former normality under the best possible conditions. That after having had a brain injury you can take the bus, climb some stairs, or remember to congratulate your brother on his birthday”.