brain injury and mental health Tag Archives

Published on: July 21, 2025

Brain Injury Increases Risk of Criminal Behavior

Persons who have suffered a traumatic brain injury may be at risk of violent or even criminal behavior. A new study points to specific areas of the brain that may suffer damage during a head injury, exposing the individual to the risk of criminal activity after the personal injury.

According to the study, during certain types of traumatic brain injuries, the victim may suffer damage to the right uncinate fasciculus, or white matter pathway in the brain. Damage to this part of the brain may result in a number of consequences. The person may find it difficult to make decisions, and there may also be an impact on the person’s empathy and emotional regulation. The person may find it difficult to differentiate between right and wrong or to feel empathy for another person.

The researchers focused their study on 17 individuals who had suffered a brain injury and then gone on to commit a criminal or violent act. They compared the brain scans of these individuals with more than 700 other individuals who had also suffered some kind of brain damage and suffered from other symptoms like memory loss or depression. The analysis found that the white matter area of the brain was the most commonly damaged part of the brain in those individuals who committed violent or criminal acts after the brain injury.

Published on: August 1, 2023

Brain Injury Caused by Car Accidents Could Result in Unique Form of Depression

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Researchers have known for a while that a brain injury can result in depression, but the kind of depression that a traumatic brain injury causes is different from other forms of depression. Traumatic brain injuries often arise out of car accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, or any other event that causes a significant impact to the head.

A new study finds that the kind of depression that results after a brain injury may be different from regular depression with some unique symptoms. In fact, the researchers believe that brain injury -related depression could possibly be its own distinct condition. These are important findings because they shed new light on the kind of consequences that a brain injury patient can suffer.

For years now, researchers have known that depression can set in after a person has suffered a brain injury, but there have been questions about whether the depression is a result of the injury itself or because of the trauma related to the car accident or incident that caused the personal injury. The general consensus, however, is that the depression is caused by the personal injury.

Published on: May 21, 2022

“Risky Behavior” Could Increase Post Traumatic Brain Injury

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A traumatic brain injury occurs when there is a jolt or blow to the head, and this can occur in any number of accidents, like an auto accident or a slip and fall accident. A fall does not have to occur from a height for an injury to occur. A fall that occurs when a person is walking or when he trips or slips, could also result in a blow to the head that is serious enough to cause an injury.

We are constantly learning about the many ways in which a traumatic brain injury can continue to impact victims of car accidents, slip and fall accidents or other types of accidents. It goes without saying that a catastrophic brain injury can affect every aspect of a victim’s life and his or her loved ones. Scientists recently analyzed the findings of five different studies on risk-taking behavior in rats, and determined that brain injuries can affect decision- making abilities.

Studies on decision -making abilities in humans after a traumatic brain injury have earlier been conducted through the Iowa Gambling Task. In this experiment involving decks of cards, subjects are made to choose from decks of cards, and understand over a period of time that two out of 4 decks involve high rewards and higher risk of losses, while the remaining two decks involve lower risks and lower rewards. This experiment was the basis for the Rodent Gambling Task in which researchers used sugar pellets to encourage the rodents. The animals were made to choose among four ports, two of which involved a large number of pellets, but also a higher punishment in the form of a timeout.

Published on: February 8, 2022

Brain Injuries and Personality Changes

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Often, recovery after a brain injury can focus only on the physical aspects of healing including recovery of mobility, movement and the ability to perform routine tasks and take care of one’s needs. Lost in the treatment plan may be the psychological damage and emotional distress that many brain injury victims continue to face months after the injury.

Brain injuries are severe injuries that seriously impact a person’s ability to lead a normal life. These are catastrophic injuries that can impact a person’s ability to perform even daily routine tasks, like looking after himself, eating or bathing. A brain injury can impact a person’s vision or hearing. These are some of the more commonly known effects of a brain injury. Lesser known or acknowledged is the long-term emotional damage inflicted by these injuries.

We know enough about some of this damage. For instance, we know that brain injury patients tend to have a higher risk of falling into depression in the months after the injury. Other mental health issues like anxiety may also be seen. Did you know that brain injury patients may also suffer from severe anger and rage control issues?