Biomechanical dose and real-time neurophysiological response during direct and whiplash head loading in humans

轻度创伤性脑损伤(MTBI)，俗称脑震荡，每年影响全球数百万人。它也正在成为加拿大的一个流行病问题，根据加拿大统计局的数据，2009-2010年间，每50人中就有一人头部受伤。最近的研究表明，即使是轻微的头部撞击而没有诊断出脑震荡(即亚脑震荡mTBI)，也可能导致大脑功能或结构的可测量变化。更好地了解损伤机制对于改善这种流行疾病的诊断和预防至关重要。本研究的长期目标是了解mTBI的生物力学机制。在这个为期5年的计划中，我们将专门研究轻度头部负荷下的生物力学剂量和实时神经生理学反应关系。换句话说，我们将研究不同类型和严重程度的机械负荷对头部造成的实时大脑变化。将建立一个可重复和通用的实验室头部加载模型，以收集来自人类志愿者的轻微的、多方向的、直接的和鞭打诱导的头部加载数据。生物力学负荷参数将与脑电测量的脑神经生理变化相关联。此外，还将使用有限元大脑模型来模拟局部大脑变形，并将其与局部神经生理变化进行比较。这项研究计划将产生新的工程工具，以研究轻微人头负荷下的实时大脑干扰，而不是传统的研究，即在机械输入至少几个小时后测量大脑反应。我们的发现将有助于从根本上理解机械负荷如何导致大脑中的神经生理变化。

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly known as concussions, affects millions annually worldwide. It is also becoming an epidemic problem in Canada, with one in fifty suffering a head injury in 2009-2010 according to Statistics Canada. Recent studies have shown that even milder head impacts without diagnosed concussions (i.e. subconcussive mTBI) could lead to measurable changes in brain function or structure. Having a better understanding of the injury mechanism is critical for improved diagnosis and prevention of this prevalent condition. The long-term objective of this research is to understand the biomechanical mechanism of mTBI. In this 5-year program, we will specifically investigate the biomechanical dose and real-time neurophysiological response relationship in mild head loading. In other words, we will study what real-time brain changes result from different types and severity of mechanical loading on the head. A repeatable and versatile laboratory head loading model will be built to gather mild multidirectional direct and whiplash-induced head loading data from human volunteers. The biomechanical loading parameters will be correlated with resulting brain neurophysiological changes measured by electroencephalogram. In addition, a finite element brain model will be used to simulate local brain deformations, which will be compared with regional neurophysiological changes. This research program will yield novel engineering tools to investigate real-time brain disturbances in mild human head loading, compared to traditional studies where the brain response is measured at least a few hours after the mechanical input. Our findings will contribute to fundamental understanding of how mechanical loading on the head leads to neurophysiological changes in the brain.