Which of the following is NOT a common sequela of TBI?

• A. Disorders of consciousness
• B. Memory issues
• C. Changes in motor, functional, sensory, perception
• D. Seizures

Answer: (D)

In moderate to severe TBI, the most frequent lasting problems come from widespread disruption of brain networks that support arousal, memory, and motor-sensory integration. Disorders of consciousness reflect impaired arousal and awareness from damage to arousal systems and diffuse cortical-subcortical networks. Memory issues arise from injury to the hippocampus and related memory circuits, while changes in motor, functional, sensory, and perceptual processing come from damage to motor pathways, association cortices, and sensory networks. Seizures, while they can occur after TBI, do not affect as large a share of patients as these other issues. Early post-traumatic seizures happen in a subset, and some patients develop post-traumatic epilepsy later, but overall the incidence is lower compared with the broad and common cognitive and functional sequelae. So seizures are not a common sequela across the typical TBI population, making them the best choice for “not a common sequela.”