Overview of brain dysfunction

[Dave Paprocki]

Brain damage can cause many types of dysfunction. Such dysfunction ranges from complete loss of consciousness (as occurs in a coma), to disorientation and an inability to pay attention (as occurs in delirium), to impairment of one or several of the many specific functions that contribute to conscious experience.

The type and severity of brain dysfunction depend on

• How extensive brain damage is
• Where the brain damage is
• How quickly the disorder causing it is progressing

Brain dysfunction may be

• Localized (focal): Limited to a specific area
• Diffuse (global): Widespread