Fifty Shades of Brain: A Review on the Mechanical Testing and Modeling of Brain Tissue

Brain tissue is not only one of the most important but also the most complex and compliant tissue in the human body. While long underestimated, increasing evidence confirms that mechanics plays a critical role in modulating brain function and dysfunction. Computational simulations–based on the field equations of nonlinear continuum mechanics–can provide important insights into the underlying mechanisms of brain injury and disease that go beyond the possibilities of traditional diagnostic tools. Realistic numerical predictions, however, require mechanical models that are capable of capturing the complex and unique characteristics of this ultrasoft, heterogeneous, and active tissue. In recent years,…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: 1727268, CMMI 1727268
• AV
  Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung
• SU
  Stanford University
• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Awards: STE 544/50, BU 3728/1, BU 3728/1-1
• SS
  Staedtler Stiftung
• SB
  Stanford Bio-X
• DO
  Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation

  Award: CMMI 1727268