Combining optical neuromonitoring with a respiratory gas system to assess neurovascular function

将光学神经监测与呼吸气体系统相结合来评估神经血管功能

• 批准号: RTI-2017-00661
• 负责人: StLawrence, Keith
• 金额: $ 10.01万
• 依托单位: University of Western Ontario
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=616742
• 关键词: Combining; optical; neuromonitoring; respiratory; gas

The sudden loss of consciousness when blood flow to the brain is reduced is a dramatic demonstration of the brain’s reliance on flow for a continuous supply of oxygen and energy substrates. This reliance is not surprising considering the brain consumes 20% of the total energy used by the body, yet only accounts for 2% of body mass. Eighty percent of its energy use goes to supporting neuronal (brain) activity and, consequently, control of blood flow in different regions of the brain must meet local energy demands. Continual adjustments to brain blood vessels are also performed to maintain adequate blood flow when there are changes in arterial blood pressure and levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. Given its importance, understanding flow regulation is critical to our overall understanding of the mechanisms controlling brain function. The equipment asked for in this proposal includes light-based devices for monitoring brain blood flow and oxygenation, a computer-controlled breathing system for precise control of arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and a noninvasive device for continuous monitoring of arterial blood pressure. Combining these non-invasive and safe technologies will provide a unique platform for studying blood flow regulation in the brain, specifically at the level of smallest blood vessels, which is the most critical because it is at this level that oxygen is delivered to tissue. Our aim is to investigate how the brain's blood vessels respond to changes in arterial pressure and blood gas levels, which are related to vascular compliance (i.e., the ability of vessels to stretch) and resistance (i.e. the effort required to push blood through vessels). These are key indicators of the proper functioning of the brain's circulatory system and our research team is ultimately interested in understanding how these indicators are affected by factors such as age and life-style practices including regular exercise. This application will also provide a highly competitive training environment for the next generation of Canadian researchers as it combines three established research groups with expertise in optical methods for noninvasive monitoring of brain function, cerebral and systemic physiology, and mathematical modelling of blood flow control and function. Our vision is that this combined expertise coupled with the proposed equipment will give trainees ranging from undergraduate students to postdoctorate fellows with the tools to tackle fundamental issues relating to how blood flow is regulated in the human brain and what factors are possibly harmful or beneficial to this regulation. Considering the growing prevalence of diseases, such as dementia, as the population ages, a better understanding of flow regulation in the brain should be beneficially to all Canadians.

当流向大脑的血液减少时，意识突然丧失，这是大脑依赖流动来持续供应氧气和能量基质的戏剧性证明。这种依赖并不奇怪，因为大脑消耗了身体总能量的20%，但只占身体质量的2%。其80%的能量用于支持神经元（大脑）活动，因此，控制大脑不同区域的血流必须满足局部能量需求。当动脉血压和血液中的氧气和二氧化碳水平发生变化时，也会对脑血管进行持续调整，以保持足够的血流。鉴于其重要性，了解流量调节对于我们全面了解控制大脑功能的机制至关重要。 该提案中要求的设备包括用于监测脑血流和氧合的光基设备，用于精确控制动脉氧和二氧化碳水平的计算机控制呼吸系统，以及用于连续监测动脉血压的非侵入性设备。结合这些非侵入性和安全的技术将为研究大脑中的血流调节提供一个独特的平台，特别是在最小血管的水平上，这是最关键的，因为正是在这个水平上氧气被输送到组织。我们的目的是研究大脑的血管如何响应动脉压和血气水平的变化，这与血管顺应性有关（即，血管伸展的能力）和阻力（即推动血液通过血管所需的努力）。这些是大脑循环系统正常运作的关键指标，我们的研究团队最终有兴趣了解这些指标如何受到年龄和生活方式等因素的影响，包括定期锻炼。 该应用程序还将为下一代加拿大研究人员提供一个极具竞争力的培训环境，因为它结合了三个已建立的研究小组，这些研究小组具有非侵入性脑功能，脑和全身生理学监测光学方法的专业知识，以及血流控制和功能的数学建模。我们的愿景是，这种结合的专业知识加上拟议的设备将为从本科生到博士后研究员的学员提供工具，以解决与人类大脑中血流如何调节以及哪些因素可能对这种调节有害或有益有关的基本问题。考虑到随着人口老龄化，痴呆症等疾病的发病率不断上升，更好地了解大脑中的流量调节应该对所有加拿大人都有好处。