Axonal shearing

Axonal shearing is the microscopic stretching or tearing of nerve fibers (axons) during rapid rotational acceleration. Once these fibers are torn, communication between brain regions is permanently disrupted. This injury occurs at the cellular level and is often the primary cause of symptoms in TBIs.

Bottom Line: Shearing is the mechanical source of most TBI symptoms; the Q-Collar was shown to reduce axonal shearing in pre-clinical trials, reducing the sliding and shifting that tears these delicate neural fibers during a hit.