Interspecies Scaling in Blast Neurotrauma
Abstract
Between October 2001 and May 2012 approximately 70% of U.S. military personnel killed in action and 75% wounded in action were the direct result of exposure to an explosion. As of 2008, it was estimated that nearly 20% of all Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) veterans had sustained some form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Blast exposure is also a civilian problem due to widespread availability of explosives and the increased usage of explosives in terrorist attacks on civilians. Before 2005, blast injury research focused on the pulmonary system and the other air-containing organs which have been shown to be susceptible to blast overpressure injury. A shift in injury pattern during recent conflicts is characterized by decreased incidence of pulmonary injuries relative to TBI thought to be associated with blast exposure. This increase in observation of blast TBI has resulted in a large research effort to understand mechanisms and thresholds. However, due to the relatively sudden shift, much of this research is being conducted without a proper understanding and consideration of blast mechanics and interspecies scaling effects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 27, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA624621
Entities
People
- C. A. Cox
- C. R. Bass
- Garrett W. Wood
- M. B. Panzer
Organizations
- University of Pennsylvania