Analysis of deep microcirculation in cerebral cortex by Doppler optical coherence tomography

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In order to visualize microvessels deeply embedded in the cortical tissue of brain, the Doppler frequency shift caused by blood flow is used as a marker to find out blood vessels in OCT signals. The 3-dimensional distribution of blood flow velocity obtained by Doppler OCT technique delineated penetrating microvessels as well as microvessels running deep in the cerebral cortex up to 1.5 mm depth. Penetrating arterioles were discriminated from venules based on the flow direction and pulsatility of blood flow. Electrical stimulus of hindpaw induced significant velocity increase in the penetrating arterioles (about 13% of the control value) and pial arterioles (10%) in the hindpaw area of primary somatosensory (S1) cortex, while the flow velocity did not change significantly in microvessels in the other area of S1 cortex. The information of structure and blood flow of microvessels in the direction of depth can help us to understand blood flow regulation among layers as well as functional columns of cerebral cortex.