The effects of a brain injury can be extremely long lasting and recovery may be incomplete. The medical and therapeutic community is continuing to learn more about the mechanisms of the brain and how it recovers; and basing treatments upon their growing understanding and increased knowledge in this area.

In the weeks following a brain injury the brain is affected by a great deal of swelling and bleeding and also changes in the chemistry of the brain. It appears to be unknown what happens in the later stage of recovery but some parts of the brain can slowly begin to understand. The brain cannot create new cells but those remaining do have the ability to take on some of the roles of the destroyed brain cells. There can often be trauma to other parts of the body in combat. It is critical that these be treated as soon as possible to limit damage to the brain (i.e. extreme bleeding).

Traumatic brain injury can cause a wife range of functional changes that affect language, thinking, sensation and emotions.