ion has been described (11). Jane et al. (12) proved conclusively that non-centroidal accelerations of the head (without contact) could produce damage to axons in the inferior colliculus, pons, and dorsolateral medulla. Animals were subjected to non-centroidal accelerations of 60° for 5-25 msec. This is equivalent to 4190-21,000 rad/sec2, and the animals experienced a brief loss of consciousness.

References

1. Ommaya AK, Gennarelli TA: Cerebral concussion and traumatic unconsciousness. Brain 97:6330654, 1974.

2. West DH, Gough JP, Harper TK: Low speed collision testing using human subjects. Accid Reconstr J 5(3):22-26, 1993.

3. Ommaya AK, Hirsch AE: Tolerances for cerebral concussion from head impact and whiplash in primates. J Biomechanics 4:13-21, 1971.

4. van den Kroonenberg A, Philippens H, Cappon J, Wismans J, Hell W, Langweider K: Human head-neck response during low-speed rear end impacts. Proceedings of the 42nd Stapp Car Crash Conference, SAE 983157, 207-221, 1998.

5. Siegmund GP, King DJ, Lawrence JM, Wheeler JB, Brault JR, Smith TA: Head/neck kinematic response of human subjects in low-speed rear-end collisions. SAE Technical Paper 973341, 357-385, 1997.

6. Kallieris D, Mattern R, Miltner E, et al.: Considerations for a neck injury criterion. SAE 912916, in Proceedings of the 35th Stapp Car Crash Conference, Detroit, MI, Society of Automotive Engineers, 401-415, 1991.

7. Povlishock JT, Becker DP: Fate of reactive axonal swellings induced by head injury. Lab Invest 52(5): 540-552, 1985.

8. Povlishock JT, Becker, Cheng CLY, et al.: Axonal change in minor head injury. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 42:225, 1983.

9. Windle WF, Groat RA, Fox CA: Experimental structural alterations in the brain during and after concussion. Surg Gynecol Obstet 79:561-572, 1944.

10. Povlishock JT: Pathobiology of traumatically induced axonal injury in animals and man. Ann Emergency Med 22(6):980-986, 1993.

11. Marulies SS, Thibault LE: A proposed tolerance criterion for diffuse axonal injury in man. J Biomech 25(8):917-923, 1992.

12. Jane JA, Steward O, Gennarelli T: Axonal degeneration induced by experimental noninvasive minor head injury. J Neurosurg 62:96-100, 1985.

Greg Wright
drwright@capecod.net

Quick Reply

Use this form to reply to this Thread

This title will properly direct your response:
Your Name:
Your E-mail Address: