Good Clinical has teamed up with Te Titoki Mataora, the MedTech Research Translator, to bring you the Te Titoki Mataora Podcast Series.

In this epsiode, Dr. Vickie Shim, a Senior Research Fellow at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, discusses her work in neuromechanics and its application to injury and degenerative diseases, specifically mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). She explains that neuromechanics focuses on how brain tissue responds to external mechanical stimuli, such as impacts, and the potential damage that can occur.

Dr. Shim's research involves studying the brains of high school rugby players throughout a season to track brain changes and correlate them with head impacts. The goal is to develop an AI-based tool that can predict recovery trajectories and inform personalized treatment plans for individuals with TBI.

Podcast Takeaways: 

1. Neuromechanics focuses on how brain tissue responds to external mechanical stimuli, such as impacts.
2. Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common form of TBI, with about 80% of all TBIs falling into the mild range.
3. Repetitive head impacts, such as those experienced in contact sports or by combat soldiers, can lead to long-term brain degenerative changes and increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
4. Dr. Shim's research involves studying the brains of high school rugby players to track brain changes over a season and correlate them with head impacts.
5. The goal is to develop an AI-based tool that can predict recovery trajectories and inform personalized treatment plans for individuals with TBI.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Neuromechanics and Dr. Vickie Shim's Research
01:22 Understanding Brain Tissue Response to Mechanical Impact
06:22 The Prevalence and Impact of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
10:06 Tracking Brain Changes in High School Rugby Players
19:04 Developing an AI-Based Tool for Predicting Recovery Trajectories 2
6:40 Personalized Treatment Plans for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury