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Physiological implications of mechanical effects of +Gz accelerations on brain structures
Anne I Guillaume1, Daniel Osmont, Daniel Gaffié
1Institut de Médecine Aérospatiale du Service de Santé des Armées, Brétigny sur Orge, France. aguillaume@imassa.fr
Background:
In certain flight configurations, fighter pilots are exposed to high Gz acceleration (G) which may induce inflight loss of consciousness (G-LOC). When acceleration is of high amplitude, and the onset rate very rapid, G-LOC can occur extremely suddenly.
Hypothesis:
Mechanisms other than brain hypoxia could be involved, enhancing its effects. In order to study the mechanical effects induced by such accelerations on cerebral structures, we estimated the stresses imposed on cerebral tissue when the brain is exposed to +Gz acceleration forces.
Methods:
An "in vitro" experiment was performed to measure brain deformations during centrifugation. A finite element model of the brain was formulated.
Results:
Computations indicate that traction and shear stresses are enhanced around the tentorial notch, and that compression stresses increase at the base of the cerebral hemispheres.
Conclusion:
The amplitude of these stresses is not sufficient to directly disturb proper nerve cell functioning. However, they could interfere with brain vessels as external surface forces, thus enhancing vessel collapse and brain ischemia.