Computation of axonal elongation in head trauma finite element simulation

In the case of head trauma, elongation of axons is thought to result in brain damage and to lead to Diffuse Axonal Injuries (DAI). Mechanical parameters have been previously proposed as DAI metric. Typically, brain injury parameters are expressed in terms of pressure, shearing stresses or invariants of the strain tensor. Addressing axonal deformation within the brain during head impact can improve our understanding of DAI mechanisms. A new technique based on directional measurements of water diffusion in soft tissue using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), called Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), provides information on axonal orientation within the brain. The present study aims at coupling axonal orientation from a 12-patient-based DTI 3D picture, called “DTI atlas”, with the Strasbourg University Finite Element Head Model (SUFEHM). This information is then integrated in head trauma simulation by computing axonal elongation for each finite element of the brain model in a post-processing of classical simulation results. Axonal elongation was selected as computation endpoint for its strong potential as a parameter for DAI prediction and location. After detailing the coupling technique between DTI atlas and the head FE model, two head trauma cases presenting different DAI injury levels are reconstructed and analyzed with the developed methodology as an illustration of axonal elongation computation. Results show that anisotropic brain structures can be realistically implemented into an existing finite element model of the brain. The feasibility of integrating axon fiber direction information within a dedicated post-processor is also established in the context of the computation of axonal elongation. The accuracy obtained when estimating level and location of the computed axonal elongation indicates that coupling classical isotropic finite element simulation with axonal structural anisotropy is an efficient strategy. Using this method, tensile elongation of the axons can be directly invoked as a mechanism for Diffuse Axonal Injury.