Development and validation of MRI-based measurements of microvessel structure in the brain
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: School of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Damage of the smallest blood vessels in the brain is common and is thought to contribute to a wide range of diseases including neurodegenerative disorders. For example there is evidence for thickening of vessel walls, reductions in vessel density and increased vessel tortuosity in neurodegenerative disease. These microstructural changes may lead to reduced oxygen supply thus causing damage to neurons, but the ordering and nature of events is unclear. Open questions remain as to whether structural changes to vessels are themselves purely detrimental or possibly compensatory, for example micro-collaterals may preserve blood supply. One gap in probing such questions is the lack of accurate, precise validated measurements of microvessel structure in vivo. MRI has the potential to provide these measurements but validation is critical.
A number of innovative microvascular MR imaging approaches are under development here in Manchester. For example, capillary segment length derived from diffusion-weighted images, arterial arrival time (the time taken for blood to travel along vessels) derived from arterial spin labelling MRI, along with more established techniques such as vessel size imaging. While these imaging approaches are readily translatable into clinical practice, the values of the microvascular parameters obtained rely on complex modelling and incorporate a number of assumptions. The techniques therefore require substantial technical validation before acceptance by the wider clinical community for use as diagnostic or predictive biomarkers. One promising approach to validation is via 3D X-ray microscopy of vascular corrosion casts, a technique that has been developed in Manchester on tumours which we now wish to extend to the brain. The 3D microscopy image is segmented and skeletonised allowing extraction of statistics on vessel radius and segment length which can be used to validate the MR measurements.
The aim of this PhD project is to develop and comprehensively validate MRI-based microvascular measurements using 3D X-ray microscopy of vascular corrosion casts. The successful student will join our growing team of scientists working on a programme of EPSRC-funded work in Manchester developing novel measurements of neuronal and vascular pathology for accurate characterisation of disease burden in dementia. This PhD project will take the next crucial step by developing quantitative, validated microvascular measures which will help clinical researchers understand the link between microvascular change and neurodegeneration.
A number of innovative microvascular MR imaging approaches are under development here in Manchester. For example, capillary segment length derived from diffusion-weighted images, arterial arrival time (the time taken for blood to travel along vessels) derived from arterial spin labelling MRI, along with more established techniques such as vessel size imaging. While these imaging approaches are readily translatable into clinical practice, the values of the microvascular parameters obtained rely on complex modelling and incorporate a number of assumptions. The techniques therefore require substantial technical validation before acceptance by the wider clinical community for use as diagnostic or predictive biomarkers. One promising approach to validation is via 3D X-ray microscopy of vascular corrosion casts, a technique that has been developed in Manchester on tumours which we now wish to extend to the brain. The 3D microscopy image is segmented and skeletonised allowing extraction of statistics on vessel radius and segment length which can be used to validate the MR measurements.
The aim of this PhD project is to develop and comprehensively validate MRI-based microvascular measurements using 3D X-ray microscopy of vascular corrosion casts. The successful student will join our growing team of scientists working on a programme of EPSRC-funded work in Manchester developing novel measurements of neuronal and vascular pathology for accurate characterisation of disease burden in dementia. This PhD project will take the next crucial step by developing quantitative, validated microvascular measures which will help clinical researchers understand the link between microvascular change and neurodegeneration.
Organisations
Publications
Scott LA
(2021)
Characterisation of microvessel blood velocity and segment length in the brain using multi-diffusion-time diffusion-weighted MRI.
in Journal of cerebral blood flow and metabolism : official journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MR/N013751/1 | 30/09/2016 | 29/09/2025 | |||
1916526 | Studentship | MR/N013751/1 | 30/09/2017 | 30/08/2021 | Lauren Scott |
Description | ISMRM Educational Stipend |
Amount | $675 (USD) |
Organisation | International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United States |
Start | 04/2019 |
End | 05/2019 |
Description | ISMRM Educational Stipend |
Amount | $705 (USD) |
Organisation | International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United States |
Start | 03/2020 |
End | 04/2020 |
Description | ISMRM New Entrant Stipend |
Amount | $675 (USD) |
Organisation | International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United States |
Start | 04/2018 |
End | 05/2018 |
Title | High-resolution diffusion-time DWI data |
Description | 10 young and healthy participants DW-MRI collected using 15 diffusion-times each with between 5 and 10 b-values (dependent on max gradient strength). |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Data collected affected model used in determining parameters which characterise microvascular blood flow and microvessel structure. |
Title | SIDD data |
Description | Collecting simultaneous PET-MR data from 40 volunteers - 20 healthy controls and 20 volunteers with a clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Data collection is not yet complete. |
Description | Big Brain |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Schools attended several workshops learning about the brain - I helped in running a section of the neuroimaging workshop. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Big Brain Summer School (talk and workshop) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Years 9 and 10 pupils attend the summer school for two days to learn about various aspects of the brain - it included workshops, experience in the labs etc. Myself and two others ran a workshop on imaging the brain, where we discussed the different methods of imaging and asked the students to design their own experiment. We discussed each groups experiment afterwards and any questions the students had. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | BioDiscovery Science Fair |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Running a stall on neuroimaging methods where students could learn about ongoing research and the fundamental science behind the imaging techniques, ask any questions in a friendly and fun environment, and get hands on with interactive games/ equipment. High school students from across the Manchester area attended. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | British Science Week |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Running a stall on neuroimaging methods where students could learn about ongoing research and the fundamental science behind the imaging techniques, ask any questions in a friendly and fun environment, and get hands on with interactive games/ equipment. High school students from across the Manchester area attended. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |
URL | http://www.engagement.manchester.ac.uk/highlights/national_science_engineering_week/index.html |
Description | Community Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A science event for the general public to learn about the research happening at the university and the science behind the imaging techniques. Children and adults attended, and were equally interested in the interactive activities. Our group ran a stall on neuroimaging methods which included activities related to MRI, PET and EEG. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | http://www.socialresponsibility.manchester.ac.uk/strategic-priorities/engaging-our-communities/publi... |
Description | Science Spectacular |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A science event for the general public to learn about the research happening at the university and the science behind the imaging techniques. Children and adults attended, and were equally interested in the interactive activities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.engagement.manchester.ac.uk/highlights/manchester_science_festival/science_spectacular/ |
Description | University of Manchester BioDiscovery event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Activity: science fair set up, with stalls describing different scientific research or theory The stall ran by our group was neuroimaging themed, with information on EEG, MRI, DW-MRI, PET Intended purpose: To demonstrate research and science to high school students. Approximately 200 students attended, most of which were very excited about our EEG cat ears. Many returned to our stall to ask more questions and try them on again/ |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |