The Influence of Different Factors on Brain Weight

Area of Science:

• Forensic Pathology
• Neuropathology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Postmortem brain weight examination is crucial for diagnosing causes of death.
• Deviations in brain weight can indicate psychoactive substance use, neurological conditions, tumors, brain edema, or traumatic brain injury.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze factors influencing postmortem brain weight.
• To understand the role of these factors in determining the underlying causes of death.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 651 autopsy cases from 2013-2023.
• Comparison of brain weight in cases of traumatic brain injury, hanging, other sudden deaths, and alcohol/drug intoxication.
• Data analysis using R software with a significance level of p < 0.05.

Main Results:

• Mean brain weight in the control group was 1274.93 ± 124.74 g.
• Higher mean brain weight was observed in ethyl alcohol (1344.01 ± 148.69 g) and drug-intoxicated (1418.45 ± 125.45 g) groups.
• Increased brain weight was noted in strangulation asphyxia (1372.13 ± 128.83 g) and traumatic brain injury (1358.27 ± 150.42 g) groups.
• Highest brain weights were found in cases of epidural hematoma and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
• Cerebral herniation (1376.95 ± 164.29 g) and pneumonia were frequent complications after brain injury.
• Traumatic brain injury cases with skull fractures, brain surgery, or cerebral herniation showed higher brain weight.
• A negative correlation was found between brain weight and Glasgow Coma Scale score.

Conclusions:

• Greater brain mass was observed in subjects with ethyl alcohol and drug intoxication, strangulation asphyxia, and traumatic brain injury compared to controls.
• In traumatic brain injury cases, higher brain weight was associated with male gender, skull fractures, epidural hemorrhage, herniation signs, and post-neurosurgery status.