Linking Head Kinematics and Multi-Modal Imaging Using a Finite Element Head Model to Assess mTBI Risk Mitigation

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Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly termed concussion, may result from rapid acceleration of the head, leading to symptoms including headache, dizziness, sensitivity to noise and difficulty concentrating. Such symptoms have also been associated with repeated sub-concussive exposures in contact sports athletes and more recently in Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) operators. The symptoms have been associated with exposure to recoil forces from large calibre weapons and correlated with the number of exposures. This project seeks to establish linkages between: the measured kinematics of the head from volunteers exposed to recoil forces during regular training; the corresponding deformation of the brain tissue predicted by a head finite element model; advanced multi-modal MRI to identify functional, physiological and structural changes associated with repeated exposures; and ultimately to assess protective equipment. The results of this research will directly inform training procedures, monitoring protocols and exposure limits for CANSOFCOM operators to ensure safety and reduce any long term effects from occupational exposures to recoil forces. Importantly, this investigation will also quantify the efficacy of a new protection garment for attenuating the rapid head motion resulting from recoil forces. This research project will provide insights into the effects of repeated exposures that may inform sports and other sectors where mTBI occurs.