Going with the flow: directing nutrient rich blood to the brain

该项目旨在可视化和测量从脐带到胎儿大脑的血液流动，并了解如何通过收缩或放松专门的分流静脉导管来优先向大脑输送氧气和葡萄糖。该项目将直接和无创测量这一基本现象与新的核磁共振成像协议。该项目的预期成果包括在测量胎儿血流方面取得进展，以及澳大利亚和加拿大主要研究人员之间的专业知识交流。从长远来看，这将增强澳大利亚在胎儿生理学方面的研究能力，并可能导致监测或支持胎儿发育的新工具。

This project aims to visualise and measure flow of blood from the umbilical cord to the fetal brain and to understand how delivery of oxygen and glucose to the brain is prioritised by constriction or relaxation of a specialised shunt, the ductus venosus. The project will directly and non-invasively measure this fundamental phenomenon with novel MRI protocols. Expected outcomes of this project include advances in measuring fetal blood flow and the exchange of expertise between leading researchers in Australia and Canada. In the long-term, this will enhance Australia’s research capacity in fetal physiology and may lead to new tools for monitoring or supporting fetal development.