Dynamic response of the brain with vasculature: A three-dimensional computational study

To date, the influence of the vasculature on the dynamic response of the brain has not been studied with a complete three-dimensional (3D) finite element head model. In this study, short duration rotational (10,000 rad/s2 with a duration of 5 ms) and translational (100 G with a duration of 5 ms) acceleration impulses were applied to the 3D finite element models to study the dynamic response of the brain. The hypothesis of this study was that due to the convoluted organization and non-linear material properties of cerebral vasculature, the difference in maximum principle strain between models with and without vasculature should be minimal. The effects of non-linear material properties and the convoluted structure of the vasculature were examined by comparing the results from the 3D finite element models. The peak average strain reduction in a model with non-linear elastic vasculature and a model with linear elastic vasculature compared to a model without vasculature was 2% and 5%, respectively, indicating that the influence of the vasculature on the dynamic response of the brain is minimal.