Why helmets don't prevent concussions -- and what might | David Camarillo

Summary

In this insightful talk, the speaker discusses the science of concussions, drawing from personal experience and research. He highlights the growing concern around concussion-related brain injuries in sports, particularly in football and cycling. The speaker explains how current helmets are designed primarily for skull fractures, not concussion prevention. Using innovative technologies like mouthguards with sensors and collaborating with international experts, the speaker's lab is exploring the mechanisms behind concussions and how to prevent them. The talk also addresses regulatory challenges and offers hope for future concussion-reducing solutions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Concussions are a major concern, with long-term risks such as Alzheimer's and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) linked to repeated brain injuries.
• 😀 Football and military-related concussion issues are well-known, but bike riding is the leading cause of sports-related concussions in children.
• 😀 Current helmets are primarily designed to protect against skull fractures, not concussions, and may not be as effective as needed in preventing brain injuries.
• 😀 The most common concussion mechanism involves the brain's rotation inside the skull, especially when the head experiences left-right motion during an impact.
• 😀 Concussion research is progressing through the use of innovative technology like mouthguards with accelerometers and gyroscopes, which provide accurate data on head movements.
• 😀 Unlike the common concussion animation, the brain likely moves much less than depicted due to the limited space inside the skull and the cushioning provided by cerebral spinal fluid.
• 😀 The brain is soft and flexible, and concussion injuries likely occur from deep tissue stretching, not just from impact on the outer brain surface.
• 😀 Studies suggest that concussion is more likely when the brain rotates in a left-right motion due to the presence of a stiff structure in the brain called the falx.
• 😀 Advanced simulations using data from mouthguards show that concussion-related injuries occur deep in the brain, particularly around the corpus callosum, which connects the brain’s two hemispheres.
• 😀 Emerging technologies like airbag helmets, which create more space around the head to slow down motion, could significantly reduce concussion risks but face regulatory challenges before they can be widely adopted.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the speaker's research on concussions?

The primary focus of the speaker's research is to understand the mechanisms of concussion and to develop ways to prevent them. The research involves using devices like mouthguards with sensors to measure head movements during impacts and studying how these movements affect the brain.

Why is concussion considered a serious issue, especially in contact sports like football?

Concussions are serious because repeated injuries to the brain can lead to long-term neurological issues, such as early dementia, Alzheimer's, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). These conditions can significantly affect the quality of life and cognitive function.

What is a key difference between how helmets protect against skull fractures versus concussions?

Helmets are primarily designed and tested to protect against skull fractures, not concussions. While they can absorb impacts to prevent fractures, they are not designed to prevent the brain from moving inside the skull or to prevent the deeper brain injuries associated with concussions.

How does the CDC video about concussions differ from the research presented in the talk?

The CDC video suggests that concussion occurs when the brain smashes against the skull, causing damage on the outer surface. However, the speaker argues that this is not entirely accurate, and concussion likely involves deeper brain tissue stretching and contorting, particularly around the center of the brain.

What role does the mouthguard play in concussion research?

The mouthguard used in the research is equipped with sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes that measure head movement during impacts. It provides precise data on how the skull moves, allowing researchers to better understand the forces involved in concussions.

What does the speaker's research suggest about the forces that cause concussions?

The research suggests that concussion is more likely when the head rotates in certain directions, particularly left-right rotational movements. These movements transmit forces to the brain, specifically the corpus callosum, a critical part of the brain's wiring, which can lead to concussion symptoms.

What is the corpus callosum, and why is it significant in understanding concussions?

The corpus callosum is the bundle of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain. The research suggests that when the brain rotates violently, it can stretch and damage the corpus callosum, leading to concussion symptoms such as confusion, memory loss, and cognitive impairment.

How does the use of a finite element model help in studying concussions?

The finite element model simulates how the brain responds to impacts by using data from the mouthguard. It allows researchers to visualize how the brain twists and stretches inside the skull during an impact, providing valuable insights into concussion mechanisms that cannot be easily observed through other methods.

Why is there a regulatory challenge in implementing new concussion prevention technologies like airbag helmets?

New concussion prevention technologies like airbag helmets face regulatory challenges because existing standards, such as those for bike helmets, primarily focus on preventing skull fractures. These standards do not evaluate how well the devices prevent concussions or whether they trigger at the right time, making it difficult to introduce innovative products to the market.

What is the speaker's personal stance on whether children should participate in contact sports like football?

The speaker acknowledges the risks of concussion in contact sports but expresses more concern about children's safety while riding bicycles, especially after having experienced concussions themselves. The speaker is optimistic about future technological advancements that could make such activities safer for children.