Many patients experience a loss of mental alertness after a traumtic brain injury. These so called executive functions have significant effects on their life. They may have a complete physical recovery and all the tests might indicate that are "normal" related to common neurological aspects such as tested with MRI or CAT scans, and complete neuroloigical workups. Their inner life never returns to the state of confidence that they once had.

A major area of concern very well may involve visual processing problems and rehabilitation is necessary to restore those previous functions.

More than 1,000,000 people suffer some tramatic brain injury each year in the United States alone. Even a five mile an hour collision can create damage to delicate tissues of the brain stem located in the neck and very critical basic neurological mal-functions. This can significantly interfer with how information is processed and integrated with other neurological brain functions.

For additional information on this subject there is an excellent web site of the Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association.

Cognition and memory from the Brain Injury Association