In the last decade neuroscience has matured at a remarkable pace, shedding a far more exacting light on mechanisms of neurophysiology, the pathophysiology of injury, neuroendocrinology, neuro-immunology, neuroplasticity, neuropharmacology, and neurodegenerative processes. Individuals with acquired brain injury are treated earlier and now achieve far better recovery than in the past. The fourth edition of this text constitutes a continuation of 20 years of coverage of traumatic brain injury and broadens the discussion of acquired brain injury. Within TBI, the paradigm shift from an injury occurring at a point in time to a disease entity of a chronic nature is changing the discussion of diagnosis, management, treatment, and outcome assessment.
