Development of a Fieldable Brain Trauma Analyzer System

Studies have estimated that as many as 22% of soldiers serving on the frontline may be at risk of mTBI from blows to the head or shockwaves caused by explosions. mTBI or concussion is also often associated with sports injuries and civilian trauma, with an estimated 5.3 million Americans living with disabilities that resulted from TBIs, according to the CDC. An immediate and definite need exists for a low cost, portable, real-time diagnostic device for the quantitative assessment of cortical function, and diagnosis of mTBI. This proposal has as its aim the development and demonstration of such a device, and related testing protocol. mTBI is hypothesized to involve derangement or damage to the underlying cortical network in such a way as to limit the functional connectivity within and between cortical columns. We will develop and investigate an approach that tests the intactness of the somatosensory system as a measure of the intactness of the neural connectivity. The system will utilize a simple wearable tactile device and a protocol that is based on response to complex tactile stimuli.