Kevlar Vest Protection Against Blast Over Pressure Brain Injury: Systemic Contributions to Injury Etiology
Abstract
The etiology of blast-induced traumatic brain injury (TBI) is largely undefined. Along with reducing mortality, in preliminary experiments Kevlar vests significantly protected against BOP-induced neuropathological changes in rats. We postulate that: 1) much of the blast-induced fiber degeneration in brain results from pressure surges transmitted through the vasculature that elicit a series of intracranial disruptions, and 2) Kevlar vests are neuroprotective by uncoupling this pressure transmission following exposure to blast. Using a compression driven shock tube, we compare external, systemic (e.g. vascular arterial and venous), and central (e.g. intracranial pressure) BOP-induced pressure changes, and assess the impact of Kevlar vests on these changes. We seek to: 1) determine if measured pressure changes are blast severity-dependent and correspond with outcome measures, and 2) assess the impact of Kevlar vests on measured BOP-induced pressure changes and outcome measures and establish whether a protective vest encasing the thorax ameliorates blast-induced brain injury, pointing to a significant contribution of the effects of blast on the thorax to brain injury. These studies will provide critical insights into the etiology of blast-induced brain injury, and will advance the development of mitigation strategies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 31, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA570689
Entities
People
- Joseph B. Long