A Mesoscale Finite Element Modelling Approach for Understanding Brain Morphology and Material Heterogeneity Effects in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) affects a significant portion of athletes in contact sports but is difficult to quantify using clinical examinations and modelling approaches. We use an in silico approach to quantify CTE biomechanics using mesoscale Finite Element (FE) analysis that bridges with macroscale whole head FE analysis. The sulci geometry produces complex stress waves that interact with each another to create increased shear stresses at the sulci depth that are significantly larger than in analyses without sulci (from 0.5 kPa to 18.0 kPa). Also, Peak sulci stresses are located where CTE has been experimentally observed in the literature.