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| Research article summary (published 29 Sep 2008): |
A thoracic mechanism of mild traumatic brain injury due to blast pressure waves.
Full Abstract
The mechanisms by which blast pressure waves cause mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are an open question. Possibilities include acceleration of the head, direct passage of the blast wave via the cranium, and propagation of the blast wave to the brain via a thoracic mechanism. The hypothesis that the blast pressure wave reaches the brain via a thoracic mechanism is considered in light of ballistic and blast pressure wave research. Ballistic pressure waves, caused by penetrating ballistic projectiles or ballistic impacts to body armor, can only reach the brain via an internal mechanism and have been shown to cause cerebral effects. Similar effects have been documented when a blast pressure wave has been applied to the whole body or focused on the thorax in animal models. While vagotomy reduces apnea and bradycardia due to ballistic or blast pressure waves, it does not eliminate neural damage in the brain, suggesting that the pressure wave directly affects the brain cells via a thoracic mechanism. An experiment is proposed which isolates the thoracic mechanism from cranial mechanisms of mTBI due to blast wave exposure. Results have implications for evaluating risk of mTBI due to blast exposure and for developing effective protection.
Author information
Author/s: Courtney, A C (AC); Courtney, M W (MW);
Affiliation: Department of Physics, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, United States. amy_courtney(-atsign-)post.harvard.edu
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article
Journal: Medical hypotheses (Med Hypotheses), published in Scotland. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2009-Jan; vol 72 (issue 1) : pp 76-83
Dates: Created 2008/11/25; Completed 2009/02/25;
PMID: 18829180, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 3/10/2009)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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