Novel optical coherence tomography tool development for quantitative peripheral nerve imaging

项目摘要 外周神经是中枢神经系统(CNS)及其远端之间的双向连接 目标。自主神经系统(ANS)是周围神经系统的一部分， 支配内部器官以调节它们的功能，并将感觉信息传输回 中枢神经系统。通过选择性刺激ANS神经，可以实现靶器官的神经调节。 许多神经调节的治疗应用目前正在研究中，以缓解 疾病和状况。深入了解神经解剖学和实时神经信息 手术或神经调节过程中的健康对于成功的结果是至关重要的。这个 目前绘制神经解剖图和评估神经损伤的方法是终点组织学，即 在没有受试者可变性、加工的情况下，难以获得时间生物反应 伪影，以及过度刺激和损伤表现之间的滞后。因此，发展经济势在必行。 用于评估神经结构和功能的实时定量成像工具。 本项目的目标是开发基于光学相干断层扫描(OCT)的周围神经 影像技术研究躯体神经和自主神经的结构和功能。我们将使用 OCT的特殊优势，特别是获得内在对比测量及其深度的能力 切片能力，以验证绘制周围神经解剖图的新工具并定义新的 神经调节和神经损伤的成像生物标志物。我们将在SPARC部署OCT系统 研究人员扩展从我们的工具中受益的潜在神经应用。一次成功的努力 将改变评估和部署神经调节设备的方式，导致 更有效的治疗和更好的患者结果。

Project Summary Peripheral nerves serve as a bidirectional link between the central nervous system (CNS) and its distal targets. The autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is part of the peripheral nervous system, innervates internal organs to modulate their function and transmits sensory information back to the CNS. By selectively stimulating the ANS nerves, neuromodulation of target organs can be achieved. Numerous therapeutic applications of neuromodulation are currently under investigation to relieve diseases and conditions. In-depth knowledge of neuroanatomy and real-time information on nerve health during surgical or neuromodulation procedures are essential for successful outcomes. The current method for mapping neuroanatomy and evaluating nerve injury is end-point histology, which is limited by difficulty in obtaining temporal biological responses absent subject variability, processing artifacts, and the lag between overstimulation and injury manifestation. Thus, it is imperative to develop real-time quantitative imaging tools to assess nerve structure and function. The goal of this project is to develop optical coherence tomography (OCT) based peripheral nerve imaging technology to study the structure and function of somatic and autonomic nerves. We will use specific advantages of OCT, particularly the ability to derive intrinsic contrast measures and its depth sectioning capability, to validate novel tools for mapping peripheral nerve anatomy and define new imaging biomarkers of neuromodulation and nerve injury. We will deploy OCT systems to SPARC investigators to expand the potential nerve applications that benefit from our tools. A successful effort will transform the manner in which neuromodulation devices are assessed and deployed, leading to more effective therapies and better patient outcomes.