11.3 Brain strain magnitude and location correlates to visible concussion signs

• Published in: British journal of sports medicine 2024-01, Vol.58 (Suppl 1), p.A137-A138
• Main Authors: Bartsch, Adam, Tyler, Rooks, Reuben, Kraft
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brain research; Concussion; Second Round Abstract Submissions
• ISSN: 0306-3674; 1473-0480
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-concussion.361

Aim & Research QuestionThis study used accurate head impact monitoring mouthguard data, video review of visible concussion signs (VS), and a validated brain injury model to predict areas of the brain most affected by a head impact. The research question was whether brain simulation magnitude and location of highest strain would correlate to clinical concussion signs observed on video.DesignRetrospective Observational.Cohort/SettingMilitary service members in training and athletics, as well as civilian athletes.ParticipantsN=973.Independent VariablesVideo review of VS by an expert rater.Outcome MeasuresVS of concussion based on Davis et al. (2019), accurate impact monitoring mouthguard data, brain strain magnitude from a validated computational model.Main Results54,602 impacts across 3449 subject-days of participation were collected. VS were seen in n=57 impacts (0.1%). All VS impacts were in the top 1% by magnitude. The maximum strain location in the brain correlated to VS in 71% of cases. No VS impacts, including impacts with loss of consciousness, had strain levels larger than critical levels from Takhounts et al. (2008).ConclusionsImpacts with VS of concussion had significantly greater measured force than those without. The computational model results had good correlation with the likely VS region of the brain that was affected in the impact. The previous brain model strain limits may need to be re-examined to correlate more closely with VS seen in the real-world.