Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) An Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is defined as damage to the brain which occurs after birth and is not the result of a congenital disorder or a degenerative disease. ABIs cover a wide-spectrum of causes and impacts, and are the number one killer and a leading cause of disabilities in Canada. ABIs are commonly broken down into two categories: trauma events, such as motor vehicle accidents, falls or sports injuries, and those caused by internal events such as an aneurysm or infections of the brain. The severity of an ABI varies substantially from very mild, such as a concussion, which can be largely recovered from, to severe, such as a deep coma and/or severe brain damage, which may require a substantial period of acute care and a lifetime of close support.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. It is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with Autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV attacks the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness. It leaves infected people vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers. Opportunistic infections rarely cause harm to healthy people, but for people with AIDS these infections are often severe and sometimes fatal because the immune system is so ravaged by HIV that the body cannot fight off certain bacteria, viruses and other microbes. According to Health Canada, the median time from infection to AIDS diagnosis exceeds ten years. AIDS is fatal and to this day there is no cure.
Look forward to future issues delivered to your inbox regularly! And if you'd rather not receive
Research News, please click on the "unsubscribe" button at the bottom of this email.
An Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is defined as damage to the brain which occurs after birth and is not the result of a congenital disorder or a degenerative disease. ABIs cover a wide-spectrum of causes and impacts, and are the number one killer and a leading cause of disabilities in Canada. ABIs are commonly broken down into two categories: trauma events, such as motor vehicle accidents, falls or sports injuries, and those caused by internal events such as an aneurysm or infections of the brain. The severity of an ABI varies substantially from very mild, such as a concussion, which can be largely recovered from, to severe, such as a deep coma and/or severe brain damage, which may require a substantial period of acute care and a lifetime of close support. 
