Reference number : GC-2017-Q1-00259, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Petel, Oren (Carleton University), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Ontario, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Collaborative Health Research Projects, program name french : Projets de recherche concertée sur la santé, program purpose english : The use of helmets by athletes has drastically reduced the incidence of severe brain injuries_x000D_
resulting from head impacts. Despite widespread use of helmets, there continues to be a_x000D_
concerning level of incidence of concussion. In contrast to the majority of traumatic injuries, a_x000D_
concussion may not cause visible structural damage to the brain, but results in the rapidonset_x000D_
of neurological dysfunction. Repeated trauma has been linked to a neurodegenerative_x000D_
disease with devastating mental health outcomes, including increased levels of depression,_x000D_
aggression, and suicidality._x000D_
Helmet testing standards implemented to reduce brain trauma involve monitoring the_x000D_
acceleration profiles of a drop-tested helmeted rigid headforms to ensure that critical_x000D_
thresholds are not exceeded. Hard acceleration thresholds may not be adequate to define_x000D_
critical conditions for trauma, particularly when an impact induces a rotational acceleration of_x000D_
the head or when we consider evidence that repeated subconcussive impacts have also led_x000D_
to significant neurodegeneration. The response of a human brain is certainly more complex_x000D_
than our current testing may be able to resolve, requiring a new basis of evaluation._x000D_
The proposed research project will combine cadaver testing with finite element modelling to_x000D_
inform the design and validation of a next-generation deformable headform for impact testing._x000D_
This new headform will return measurements of brain deformation that occur during the_x000D_
impact. Since the brain undergoes significant deformation during an impact, it is expected that_x000D_
this measurement would be more sensitive to the rotational forces that are detrimental to the_x000D_
brain. Upon completion, the developed headform will provide standards committees with an_x000D_
alternative that may replace the current standards. Advancing the state of helmet evaluation_x000D_
has the potential to increase the long-term quality of life for numerous Canadians at risk for_x000D_
concussion., program purpose french : The use of helmets by athletes has drastically reduced the incidence of severe brain injuries_x000D_
resulting from head impacts. Despite widespread use of helmets, there continues to be a_x000D_
concerning level of incidence of concussion. In contrast to the majority of traumatic injuries, a_x000D_
concussion may not cause visible structural damage to the brain, but results in the rapidonset_x000D_
of neurological dysfunction. Repeated trauma has been linked to a neurodegenerative_x000D_
disease with devastating mental health outcomes, including increased levels of depression,_x000D_
aggression, and suicidality._x000D_
Helmet testing standards implemented to reduce brain trauma involve monitoring the_x000D_
acceleration profiles of a drop-tested helmeted rigid headforms to ensure that critical_x000D_
thresholds are not exceeded. Hard acceleration thresholds may not be adequate to define_x000D_
critical conditions for trauma, particularly when an impact induces a rotational acceleration of_x000D_
the head or when we consider evidence that repeated subconcussive impacts have also led_x000D_
to significant neurodegeneration. The response of a human brain is certainly more complex_x000D_
than our current testing may be able to resolve, requiring a new basis of evaluation._x000D_
The proposed research project will combine cadaver testing with finite element modelling to_x000D_
inform the design and validation of a next-generation deformable headform for impact testing._x000D_
This new headform will return measurements of brain deformation that occur during the_x000D_
impact. Since the brain undergoes significant deformation during an impact, it is expected that_x000D_
this measurement would be more sensitive to the rotational forces that are detrimental to the_x000D_
brain. Upon completion, the developed headform will provide standards committees with an_x000D_
alternative that may replace the current standards. Advancing the state of helmet evaluation_x000D_
has the potential to increase the long-term quality of life for numerous Canadians at risk for_x000D_
concussion., agreement title english : The development of a next-generation polymeric headform surrogate for concussion and helmet evaluation, agreement title french : The development of a next-generation polymeric headform surrogate for concussion and helmet evaluation, agreement number : CHRPJ, agreement value : 298929.0, agreement start date : 2017-04-25, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year. (2017-2018 to 2020-2021), additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier. (2017-2018 à 2020-2021), owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada