Imaging of the brain microvascular network in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury

Abstract: Although some individuals recover fully, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), particularly when repeated, often leads to persistent cognitive and neurobehavioral deficits. Intervening effectively is hindered by our limited understanding of its pathological sequelae. In this talk, I will discuss a series of studies examining the changes in neuronal and cerebrovascular function in the peri-contusional and distal brain tissue in the chronic stage of mTBI in a mouse model of repeated closed head injury. To this end, we have combined optogenetics, two-photon fluorescence microscopy, intracerebral electrophysiological recordings, and functional MRI. To allow interrogation of cerebrovascular network, we have also developed deep learning-based models for segmentation of cerebrovascular networks geometry, over time, and a computational pipeline for analysis of the network reactivity. On the whole, our findings suggest that profound alterations in the neurovascular function can be present despite no detectable abnormalities on conventional neuroimaging and that these changes may underlie the concussed brain’s persistent susceptibility to neurodegeneration.

Brief Bio: Dr. Stefanovic is a Senior Scientist, CRC Tier 1 in Functional Brain Neuroimaging and Director of Physical Sciences at SRI, and a Professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto. Dr. Stefanovic’s research focuses on the development of new methods for quantitative in vivo imaging of brain function. Her research interests include the development and application of in vivo high field functional MRI, two-photon fluorescence microscopy, and extracellular recordings. Her team is investigating neurovascular dysfunction in transgenic models of Alzheimer’s disease, during chronic stage of recovery from focal ischemia and following traumatic brain injury.