This new edition presents an authoritative account of the current state of brain biomechanics research for engineers, scientists and medical professionals. Since the first edition in 2011, this topic has unquestionably entered into the mainstream of biomechanical research. The book brings together leading scientists in the diverse fields of anatomy, neuroimaging, image-guided neurosurgery, brain injury, solid and fluid mechanics, mathematical modelling and computer simulation to paint an inclusive picture of the rapidly evolving field. Covering topics from brain anatomy and imaging to sophisticated methods of modeling brain injury and neurosurgery (including the most recent applications of biomechanics to treat epilepsy), to the cutting edge methods in analyzing cerebrospinal fluid and blood flow, this book is the comprehensive reference in the field. Experienced researchers as well as students will find this book useful.

In the past decade, few subjects at the intersection of medicine and sports have generated as much public interest as sports-related concussions - especially among youth. Despite growing awareness of sports-related concussions and campaigns to educate athletes, coaches, physicians, and parents of young athletes about concussion recognition and management, confusion and controversy persist in many areas. Currently, diagnosis is based primarily on the symptoms reported by the individual rather than on objective diagnostic markers, and there is little empirical evidence for the optimal degree and duration of physical rest needed to promote recovery or the best timing and approach for returning to full physical activity. Sports-Related Concussions in Youth: Improving the Science, Changing the Culture reviews the science of sports-related concussions in youth from elementary school through young adulthood, as well as in military personnel and their dependents. This report recommends actions that can be taken by a range of audiences - including research funding agencies, legislatures, state and school superintendents and athletic directors, military organizations, and equipment manufacturers, as well as youth who participate in sports and their parents - to improve what is known about concussions and to reduce their occurrence. Sports-Related Concussions in Youth finds that while some studies provide useful information, much remains unknown about the extent of concussions in youth; how to diagnose, manage, and prevent concussions; and the short- and long-term consequences of concussions as well as repetitive head impacts that do not result in concussion symptoms. The culture of sports negatively influences athletes' self-reporting of concussion symptoms and their adherence to return-to-play guidance. Athletes, their teammates, and, in some cases, coaches and parents may not fully appreciate the health threats posed by concussions. Similarly, military recruits are immersed in a culture that includes devotion to duty and service before self, and the critical nature of concussions may often go unheeded. According to Sports-Related Concussions in Youth, if the youth sports community can adopt the belief that concussions are serious injuries and emphasize care for players with concussions until they are fully recovered, then the culture in which these athletes perform and compete will become much safer. Improving understanding of the extent, causes, effects, and prevention of sports-related concussions is vitally important for the health and well-being of youth athletes. The findings and recommendations in this report set a direction for research to reach this goal.

Damage to the central nervous system resulting from pathological mechanical loading can occur as a result of trauma or disease. Such injuries lead to significant disability and mortality. The peripheral nervous system, while also subject to injury from trauma and disease, also transduces physiological loading to give rise to sensation, and mechanotransduction is also thought to play a role in neural development and growth. This book gives a complete and quantitative description of the fundamental mechanical properties of neural tissues, and their responses to both physiological and pathological loading. This book reviews the methods used to characterize the nonlinear viscoelastic properties of central and peripheral neural tissues, and the mathematical and sophisticated computational models used to describe this behaviour. Mechanisms and models of neural injury from both trauma and disease are reviewed from the molecular to macroscopic scale. The book provides a comprehensive picture of the mechanical and biological response of neural tissues to the full spectrum of mechanical loading to which they are exposed. This book provides a comprehensive reference for professionals involved in pre prevention of injury to the nervous system, whether this arises from trauma or disease.

Multiscale Biomechanical Modeling of the Brain discusses the constitutive modeling of the brain at various length scales (nanoscale, microscale, mesoscale, macroscale and structural scale). In each scale, the book describes the state-of-the- experimental and computational tools used to quantify critical deformational information at each length scale. Then, at the structural scale, several user-based constitutive material models are presented, along with real-world boundary value problems. Lastly, design and optimization concepts are presented for use in occupant-centric design frameworks. This book is useful for both academia and industry applications that cover basic science aspects or applied research in head and brain protection. The multiscale approach to this topic is unique, and not found in other books. It includes meticulously selected materials that aim to connect the mechanistic analysis of the brain tissue at size scales ranging from subcellular to organ levels. Presents concepts in a theoretical and thermodynamic framework for each length scale Teaches readers not only how to use an existing multiscale model for each brain but also how to develop a new multiscale model Takes an integrated experimental-computational approach and gives structured multiscale coverage of the problems

This text acquaints the reader on the biomechanics of injury to the human body caused by impact and the use of computer models to simulate impact events. It provides a basic understanding of the biomechanics of the injuries resulting from the impact to the head, neck, chest, abdomen, spine, pelvis and the lower extremities, including the foot and ankle. Other topics include side impact, car-pedestrian impact, effectiveness of automotive restraint systems and sports-related injuries. Featuring problems and PowerPoint slides for lectures, the volume is ideal for students in graduate programs in biomechanics, as well as practicing engineers, and researchers in the life sciences concerned with orthopedics.

This monograph aims to provide a rigorous yet accessible presentation of some fundamental concepts used in modeling brain mechanics and give a glimpse of the insights and advances that have arisen as a result of the nascent interaction of the mathematical and neurosurgical sciences. It begins with some historical perspective and a brief synopsis of the biomedical/biological manifestations of the clinical conditions/diseases considered. Each chapter proceeds with a discussion of the various mathematical models of the problems considered, starting with the simplest models and proceeding to more complex models where necessary. A detailed list of relevant references is provided at the end of each chapter. With the beginning research student in mind, the chapters have been crafted to be as self-contained as possible while addressing different clinical conditions and diseases. The book is intended as a brief introduction to both theoreticians and experimentalists interested in brain mechanics, with directions and guidance for further reading, for those who wish to pursue particular topics in greater depth. It can also be used as a complementary textbook in a graduate level course for neuroscientists and neuroengineers.