Evidence of Gait Impairment After mTBI in an Adolescent Pig Model

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) on gait in Yucatan minipigs, a relevant animal model for assessing balance impairments after TBI. Retro-reflective markers were placed on different anatomical locations on the pig, and eight motion capture cameras were set up along the sides of the pig walking path to capture natural gait data. Pigs were tested both before and after induced head injury, allowing for direct comparison of gait alterations. Our findings reveal significant impairments, including reduced shoulder flexibility, altered head movement, and compensatory stabilization strategies, such as increased vertical nodding. These observations suggest that, like human mTBI patients, pigs exhibit balance deficits and modified movement patterns. The results demonstrate the utility of the adolescent pig model in studying mTBI-related balance disturbances, providing valuable insights into its neurological and biomechanical consequences. This research lays the groundwork for future studies focused on developing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for mTBI-induced gait impairments.