Dynamic response of the brain with vasculature: a three-dimensional computational study

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Neuroscience
• Computational Modeling

Background:

• The dynamic response of the brain to external forces is crucial for understanding traumatic brain injury.
• Previous studies have not fully incorporated the complex three-dimensional (3D) vasculature into head models.
• The influence of cerebral vasculature on brain dynamics under acceleration remains largely unquantified.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of vasculature on the brain's dynamic response using a complete 3D finite element head model.
• To evaluate the impact of non-linear material properties and the convoluted structure of cerebral vasculature on brain strain.
• To test the hypothesis that vasculature's influence on maximum principle strain is minimal.

Main Methods:

• Development and application of a 3D finite element head model.
• Simulation of short-duration rotational (10,000 rad/s², 5 ms) and translational (100G, 5 ms) acceleration impulses.
• Comparison of dynamic responses between models with and without vasculature, including linear and non-linear elastic properties.

Main Results:

• The inclusion of vasculature resulted in a minimal reduction in peak average strain.
• A model with non-linear elastic vasculature showed a 2% strain reduction compared to a model without vasculature.
• A model with linear elastic vasculature showed a 5% strain reduction compared to a model without vasculature.

Conclusions:

• The cerebral vasculature has a minimal influence on the overall dynamic response of the brain to acceleration.
• The complex and non-linear properties of vasculature do not significantly alter the brain's strain response under the simulated conditions.
• Findings suggest that simplified models lacking detailed vasculature may still provide relevant insights into brain dynamics during impact events.