Numerical modelling of the hypothalamus under impact

• Main Author: Correia, Ana Rita Faria
• Publication Date: 2022
• Format: Master thesis
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/10773/35945
• topic: Traumatic brain injury; Finite element analysis; Hypothalamus; Pituitary gland; Brain modelling; Women

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a leading cause of death and disability. This type of injury occurs when a load exceeds the tolerance level of brain tissue and can cause specific damage to the hypothalamus and hippocampus. Injuries present a major cause of long-term disability among survivors. One of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 is to ensure a healthy life and promote well-being for one and all, at all ages. Computational modelling has been widely used in order to investigate the mechanisms of traumatic injuries. The work developed in this dissertation aims to create a detailed 3D model of the brain structure, Female Finite Element Head Model (FeFEHM), providing a model of the hypothalamus, in order to simulate the impact and evaluate the injuries that occur. Medical images were used to create the 3D model. The material properties were validated according to the study by Menichetti et al.(2020) Two simulations were performed: one according to the study by Alshareef et al.(2018), where a pure coronal rotation was applied and the brain displacement was verified, and a second one that allowed to evaluate the stresses and strains taking into account data from the study by Hernandez et al.(2015). Both simulations showed satisfactory results and good indications for future work.