What typically causes Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is primarily caused by extrinsic impacts to the brain, which include any forceful event that results in damage to the brain tissue. This can occur from a variety of incidents such as falls, car accidents, sports injuries, or assaults where the head is struck or jolted. The severity of a TBI can vary greatly, ranging from mild concussions to severe brain damage, depending on the nature and intensity of the impact.

Understanding this cause is crucial for prevention and treatment. Interventions often focus on reducing the risks associated with activities that lead to such external impacts. In contrast, structural abnormalities from birth, excessive physical fitness, and social rejection do not lead to the mechanical forces needed to cause a TBI, making them irrelevant in directly understanding the mechanisms that result in this type of injury.