An injury to the head or face does not always cause injury to the brain but when there has been an injury to the brain this is called an acquired brain injury. Possible causes could be due to the following ;

• degenerative disorder when neurons of the brain begin to die or degenerate over time
• stroke when insufficient blood flow causes irreversible death of neurons
• tumours when pressure effects and / or invasion of tumours causes damage
• infections when special blood-brain protective system is breached
• anoxia and hypoxia when blood flow is depleted of oxygen causing irreversible brain damage
• metabolic disorders where harmful chemicals damage the neurons
• traumatic brain injury due to physical trauma

Further information may be found at www.headway.org.uk