Brain Blood Flow, Healthy
Conditions
Keywords
MRI, Brain blood flow
Brief summary
Brain blood flow regulation will be measured in response to environmental changes using MRI.
Detailed description
Global brain blood flow decreases with advancing age; however, some adults have accelerated declines in brain blood flow, placing them at a greater risk of cognitive impairment. Similarly, brain reactivity to increased levels of carbon dioxide decreases with age, with a greater decline in adults with vascular risk factors and is impaired in early Alzheimer's disease. Preclinical models suggest that reduced brain blood flow, results in low levels of oxygen regionally. Currently, there are a lack of human studies that investigate the cause or consequence of altered blood flow regulation in the brain. The research aims are: 1. Determine the impact of vertebral artery hypoplasia (VAH) on brain reactivity to increased levels of carbon dioxide. 2. Determine the impact of VAH on the brain blood flow response to acute low levels of oxygen.
Interventions
DEVICEMRI
Participants will undergo an MRI scan while participating in two breathing tests (hypercapnia and hypoxia) to measure brain blood flow.
Sponsors
University of Wisconsin, Madison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
55 Years to 69 Years
Inclusion criteria
* BMI ≤38.5 kg/m2 * Nonsmoker * Female subjects: postmenopausal * Currently enrolled in the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Clinical Core
Exclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease * Uncontrolled hypertension * History or evidence of hepatic disease, hematological disease, or peripheral vascular disease * Severe kidney injury requiring hemodialysis * Cardiovascular disease including: severe congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease (stents, coronary artery bypass grafts) and tachycardia * History of clinically significant ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, or significant cerebrovascular disease * History of HIV/AIDS * Severe untreated obstructive sleep apnea * History of diabetes with HbA1c greater than 9.5% * Major neurologic disorders other than dementia (e.g., multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, brain surgery, etc.) * Current or recent (\<1 year) major psychiatric condition (Axis I) or addictive disorders * Contraindications to MRI
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cerebral Vascular Reactivity to Hypercapnia | One study visit, up to 120 minutes in the MRI | The change in brain blood flow using MRI will be measured in response to a hypercapnic breathing test. The participants cerebral vascular reactivity to hypercapnia will be compared between the controls (without VAH) and those with VAH. |
| Cerebral Blood Flow Response to Hypoxia | One study visit, up to 120 minutes in the MRI | The change in brain blood flow using MRI will be measured in response to a hypoxic breathing test. The participants cerebral blood flow response to hypoxia will be compared between the controls (without VAH) and those with VAH. |
Countries
United States
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORJill N Barnes, PhD
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Outcome results
None listed