Autonomic responses to blast overpressure can be elicited by exclusively exposing the ear in rats.

ABSTRACT: Blast overpressure has become an increasing cause of brain injuries in both military and civilian populations. Though blast's direct effects on the cochlea and vestibular organs are active areas of study, little attention has been given to the ear's contribution to the overall spectrum of blast injury. Acute autonomic responses to blast exposure, including bradycardia and hypotension, can cause hypoxia and contribute to blast-induced neurotrauma. Existing literature suggests that these autonomic responses are elicited through blast impacting the thorax and lungs. We hypothesize that the unprotected ear also provides a vulnerable locus for blast to cause autonomic responses. We designed a blast generator that delivers controlled overpressure waves into the ear canal without impacting surrou

SUBMITTER: Sandlin DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6291641 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature