A Blast Model of Traumatic Brain Injury in Swine
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to develop a survival model of blast-induced traumatic brain injury (BI-TBI) in swine. Two air guns were constructed, each having different lengths, air chamber volumes and barrel diameters. Air velocity was measured with a ballistics chronometer over a series of firings at different blast pressures. Calibration curves show linear and reproducible results through a range of firing pressures. Under anesthesia swine received BI-TBI with either one of the air guns at two different pressures and recovered for 7 days. Swine injured with the larger gun at the higher pressure took longer to return to normal behavior compared to the control or lesser blast animals. These animals demonstrated circling behavior, un-coordination, increased startle reflex, and hyperactivity during the recovery period. In a novel object test these injured animals took longer to start to investigate and the object was novel for a longer time. They showed electrocardiogram changes on Day 7 post blast indicating coronary ischemia and injury. The results show that this swine model of blast induced traumatic brain injury will provide a needed tool for the development of treatment for traumatic head injuries, rehabilitation and improvements in military and civilian protective body.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA551895
Entities
People
- Samuel Panter
Organizations
- Northern California Institute for Research and Education