NMCSD's Focus for October is Brain Injury Awareness Month 

A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is caused by a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Not all head trauma results in a TBI. The severity of a TBI may range from “mild,” such as a brief change in cognitive (knowledge-related) ability, appearance, emotional mood, and speech, thought patterns or consciousness to “severe,” such as an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury.

The brain is very complex and every brain injury is different. Some symptoms may appear right away, while others may not show up for days or weeks after the injury. Sometimes the injury is difficult for individuals to recognize or admit they are having problems.

The mission of the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) is to serve active duty (AD) military, their beneficiaries and veterans with TBI through state-of-the-art clinical care, innovative clinical research initiatives and educational programs. DVBIC has ongoing collaboration with the military, U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs, civilian health partners, local communities, families, and individuals with TBI.

DVBIC has two sites in San Diego. One is located at Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) and has actively evaluated AD military personnel with TBI since 1994. The other is the Concussion Clinic at Camp Pendleton, which was established in 1999 as part of a surveillance study of concussions in the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. It has developed into a fully-staffed clinical service providing improved access to care for Marines.

The DVBIC mission of providing clinical service while engaging in an active program of clinical research has been a constant goal for the past 15 years. The NMCSD DVBIC provides an array of clinical services, including, but not limited to: TBI screening, evaluation, patient and family education, case management, neuropsychological assessment, testing for flight status, duty status determination and consultation services with various disciplines.

If you or someone you know is exhibiting TBI symptoms, you are encouraged to seek a referral from your Primary Care Manager or the Emergency Department to NMCSD’s Department of Neurosurgery or the NMCSD DVBIC.

For more information about DVBIC NMCSD or the DVBIC Concussion Clinic at Camp Pendleton, visit the following web sites:

Additional information is available via the National Brain Injury Center: (800) 444-6443.