Modelagem computacional do crescimento cerebral utilizando a teoria do crescimento finito

Abstract

The patterns observed in the mammalian brain are directly related to its basic functions, such that failures in the cortical folding process can result in neurological disorders. This process is not exclusively restricted to cytological factors during embryonic development, mechanical aspects also play a crucial role. Furthermore, contemporary clinical challenges reinforce the relevance of this investigation, as exemplified by microcephaly, a severe consequence of the congenital syndrome associated with the Zika virus. In this context, this study, grounded in research aimed at elucidating the gyrification process through biomechanical models, investigates the effects of different mechanical aspects on cortical folding. The objective is to understand how physical parameters, such as initial cortical thickness, tissue stiffness, and differential growth rates, influence the formation of brain sulci and gyri. To this end, a computational model was developed, implemented, and numerically solved in a finite element environment, based on continuum mechanics and finite growth theory. This formulation enables the simulation of deformation processes associated with brain development, providing a tool for analyzing its morphogenesis. The results obtained are consistent with the literature, confirming the influence of the evaluated mechanical parameters on cortical morphogenesis. Additionally, the model was able to qualitatively reproduce the effects associated with Zika virus infection during fetal development.