MRI mapping of hemodynamics in the human spinal cord.

ABSTRACT: Impaired spinal cord vascular function contributes to numerous neurological pathologies, making it important to be able to noninvasively characterize these changes. Here, we propose a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)-based method to map spinal cord vascular reactivity (SCVR). We used a hypercapnic breath-holding task to evoke a systemic vasodilatory response during concurrent blood oxygenation level-dependent fMRI. SCVR amplitude and hemodynamic delay were mapped at the group level as proof-of-concept of the approach, and in two highly-sampled participants to probe feasibility/stability of individual SCVR mapping. Across the group and individuals, a strong ventral SCVR amplitude was initially observed without accounting for local regional variation in the timing of the vasodila

SUBMITTER: Hemmerling KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10925078 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature