How the Brain Recovers from Disorders of Consciousness

How does the injured brain regain function after a disorder of consciousness? In this expert interview, Joseph Giacino, PhD, explains the core neurological mechanisms that support recovery following severe brain injury—and why improvement can occur even months or years after injury. In this video, Joseph Giacino, PhD, Project Director of the Spaulding‑Harvard Traumatic Brain Injury Model System, outlines four primary mechanisms of brain recovery that help explain how consciousness and cognitive function may gradually return.

The content of this video is based on research and/or professional consensus. This content has been reviewed and approved by experts from the Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (TBIMS) centers, funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, as well as experts from the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers (PRCs), with funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The content of the video has also been reviewed by individuals with TBI and/or their family members. 

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to replace the advice of a medical professional. You should consult your health care provider about specific medical concerns or treatment. The contents of this video were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90DPKT0009). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this video do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.

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