Functional ultrasound as a quantitative approach for measuring functional hyperemia in aging models.

Jessica Pinckard, Sharon Negri, Cade A Huston, Marisa A Bickel, Michaela L Vance, Madison Milan, Clara L Hibbs, Madeline Budda, Siva Sai Chandragiri, Kaitlyn Pipkin, Stefano Tarantini, Shannon M Conley

Division of Comparative Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.Division of Comparative Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

Aging is associated with impaired cerebrovascular function, including reduced functional hyperemia (FH), which contributes to cognitive decline and dementia. Unraveling the mechanisms responsible for FH decline during aging is crucial for developing interventions to promote healthy brain aging and mitigate cognitive impairment. Currently, laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) serves as the standard method for assessing FH in mouse models of cognitive dysfunction and aging. However, as a terminal procedure, long-term monitoring of changes in FH using LSCI is not possible. Functional ultrasound imaging (fUS) has improved spatial and temporal resolution compared to LSCI and is a promising alternative, but surgical manipulation of the mouse model is necessary to assess FH using fUS.

The following analysis is generated by AI and may contain errors. It is separate from the authors’ abstract and is not peer review.

Research summary

The paper claims that functional ultrasound imaging (fUS) can be used to quantitatively measure functional hyperemia in aging models. This research is relevant as it addresses the decline in cerebrovascular function associated with aging, which is a critical factor in cognitive decline and dementia, thereby contributing to our understanding of mechanisms underlying age-related cognitive impairment.

Author of this paper? Send a correction.