“The brain must have all that it needs at one time, at a specific rate that it can tolerate,” says Brown. “For example, you can enjoy chocolate malts but not through a fire hose as this could drown you. This is true with good things and the brain. Not enough is bad, but too much is also bad. This is especially true with the extremely delicate injured brain.”

A concussion is the mildest type of TBI, yet it damages nerves and affects brain function. Most people who have a concussion don’t pass out. However, a moderate-to-severe TBI can cause loss of consciousness for 20 minutes to six hours or longer. Other symptoms may appear immediately or be delayed for days to weeks.

After identifying the damaged brain pathways and assessing the likelihood of restoring nerve activity, Brown develops a treatment plan, which could include sensory, physical and cognitive exercises, to stimulate nerve growth and reestablish neural communication.

Whether due to a TBI or stroke, it has been shown that combining the disciplines of neurology, functional neurology, functional medicine and clinical nutrition provides optimal results.