FIXED ACTION PATTERN  [ back to Glossary Index ]
Fixed Action Pattern designates a learned pattern of activity encoded in the brain through repetition which has become subconscious. Examples are chewing your food, stepping off a curb and turning your head towards a sudden noise. TBI can disrupts neurons or neuronal connections in the basal ganglia, cerebellum and other parts of the brain which initiate and execute FAPs . When this occurs the brain injured person may bite his tongue while chewing, stumble and fall over curbs and ignore warning noises. Part of intensive rehab after TBI is relearn crucial FAPs.