There are a few different systems that medical practioners use to diagnose the symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury.  This section discusses the Glasgow Coma Scale.  Click on the link to find out more information about the Ranchos Los Amigos Scale. The Glasgow Coma Scale is based on a 15 point scale for estimating and categorizing the outcomes of brain injury on the basis of overall social capability or dependence on others. The test measures the motor response, verbal response and eye opening response with these values: I. Motor Response 6 - Obeys commands fully 5 - Localizes to noxious stimuli 4 - Withdraws from noxious stimuli 3 - Abnormal flexion, i.e. decorticate posturing 2 - Extensor response, i.e. decerebrate posturing 1 - No response II. Verbal Response 5 - Alert and Oriented 4 - Confused, yet coherent, speech 3 - Inappropriate words and jumbled phrases consisting of words 2 - Incomprehensible sounds 1 - No sounds III. Eye Opening 4 - Spontaneous eye opening 3 - Eyes open to speech 2 - Eyes open to pain 1 - No eye opening The final score is determined by adding the values of I+II+III. This number helps medical practioners categorize the four possible levels for survival, with a lower number indicating a more severe injury and a poorer prognosis: Mild (13-15): More in-depth discussion on the Mild TBI Symptoms page. Moderate Disability (9-12): Loss of consciousness greater than 30 minutes Physical or cognitive impairments which may or may resolve Benefit from Rehabilitation Severe Disability (3-8): Coma: unconscious state.  No meaningful response, no voluntary activities Vegetative State (Less Than 3): Sleep wake cycles Aruosal, but no interaction with environment No localized response to pain Persistent Vegetative State: Vegetative state lasting longer than one month Brain Death: No brain function Specific criteria needed for making this diagnosis Information about the other tests as well as symptoms and diagnosis can be found in the following sections: Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury Homepage Glasgow Coma Scale For Diagnosing Traumatic Brain Injury Ranchos Los Amigos Scale For Diagnosing Traumatic Brain Injury Mild TBI Symptoms Severe TBI Symptoms Diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury

If you or family member has suffered a brain injury and have a legal question use our free case evaluation, provided by Cohen Placitella & Roth, P.C. If you or a family member has suffered a brain injury and have a question about treatment or rehabilitative services use our free information request service. Call 888-915-7600 Choosing a Rehab Facility with Joanne Finegan, MSA, CTRS