A new paper is out from the CVN lab! Published in The Anatomical Record as part of our thematic issue “TBI, not just for humans”. Here is the press release:

A newly accepted paper by Dr. Nicole Ackermans of The University of Alabama is poised to reshape scientific understanding of brain injury in animals. Titled “A History of Thought on Brain Injury in Head-Hitting Animals,” the paper was accepted on September 26, 2025, for publication in The Anatomical Record (thematic issue: “TBI, Not Just for Humans”).

Ackermans’ research critically examines the persistent myth that animals such as bighorn sheep and woodpeckers are immune to traumatic brain injury (TBI). Through a comprehensive historical review, from prehistoric rock art and medieval manuscripts to modern bioengineering, the study reveals that this belief is not supported by biological evidence.

Despite contemporary histochemical data confirming brain damage in these species, the notion of their “shock-absorbing” anatomy continues to influence popular culture and scientific design. Ackermans’ paper traces how this misconception has shaped helmet technology, concussion prevention strategies and bio-inspired engineering, often leading to flawed assumptions in biomedical research and product development.

Ackermans’ research was inspired by a lingering question: Who was the first person to propose that woodpeckers or bighorn sheep were immune to brain injury? That curiosity led her into a deep historical investigation spanning centuries of literature, art and scientific interpretation, uncovering how romanticized views of evolution have shaped public understanding and research priorities.

The implications of this work are far-reaching. Products like the Q-Collar, designed to protect athletes from concussions, are based on assumptions drawn from animal models that may not hold up under scrutiny. Similarly, bio-inspired designs in helmets and safety gear often rely on the myth of animal invulnerability — potentially compromising their effectiveness.

Ackermans’ findings urge a reevaluation of how head impacts are studied across species. Her lab, building on 2021 research showing brain injury in wild bovids, is now investigating similar effects in domestic goats and woodpeckers, with promising early results.

Scientists across neuroscience, paleontology and bioengineering stand to benefit from this reevaluation. By challenging these assumptions, Ackermans’ work promotes more accurate science communication and evidence-based design.

Find the paper online here: https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70069

UA’s press release: https://barefield.ua.edu/2025/10/20/biological-studies-study-challenges-long-held-beliefs-about-brain-injury-in-animals/

Or download the PDF here: