Figure 1.

Mouse model of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) via midline central fluid percussion injury (cFPI). (A) Dorsal view showing craniectomy site with the dura intact. The superior sagittal sinus (yellow arrowhead) can be seen through the saline-filled hub. (B) Fluid percussion injury device with the pendulum in the cocked position. Severity of injury is determined by arc height. After releasing the trigger the pendulum strikes a piston in a cylinder reservoir generating a fluid pressure wave. The mouse cranium is attached to the cylinder at the opposite end via the installed hub, forming a closed mechanical system. (C) A representative fluid pressure wave that is transmitted directly onto the intact dura. (D,E) Representative images of dissected brains perfused 2 days after cFPI-induced mTBI. Sham (D) and mTBI (E) brains show no evidence of surgically-induced damage. After cFPI, there is no evidence of mass lesions and/or contusion. There is no focal damage at the craniectomy site where the pressure wave entered the cranium.