title: Agitation, aggression, and disinhibition syndromes after traumatic brain injury.
abstract: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is frequently complicated by disinhibition and aggression. These often profound changes in personality, present obstacles to rehabilitative treatments and community reentry. Syndromal presentations may involve a loss of impulse control, spontaneous aggression, and dysphoric bipolar states. Common neuropathological findings of inferior frontal lobe dysfunction support both disinhibition and kindling models of TBI-induced aggression. Assessment of these highly disruptive symptoms requires detailed historical, clinical, and neuropsychological information to formulate appropriate strategies. Management of TBI-related aggression may involve pharmacological, environmental, and psychotherapeutic strategies that incorporate caregiver training and support.
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA. kimed@cmhc.umdnj.edu
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy