Identification of a transversely isotropic material model for white matter in the brain

Axonal fiber tracts in white matter of the brain form anisotropic structures. It is assumed that this structural anisotropy causes mechanical anisotropy, making white matter tissue stiffer along the axonal fiber direction. This, in turn, will affect the mechanical loading of axonal tracts during traumatic brain injury (TBI). The goal of this study is to use a combination of in-vitro tests to characterize the mechanical anisotropy of white matter and compare it to gray matter, which is thought to be structurally and mechanically isotropic. A more complete understanding of the mechanical anisotropy of brain tissue will provide more accurate information for computational simulations of brain injury.