Numerical Simulation of the Blood Flow through a Brain Vascular Aneurysm with an Artificial Stent Using the SPH Method

We present numerical simulations of blood flow through a brain vascular aneurysm with an artificial stent using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH). The aim of this work is to analyze how the flow into an aneurysm changes using different stent configurations. The initial conditions for the simulations were constructed from angiographic images of a real patient with an aneurysm. The wall shear stresses, pressure and highest velocity within the artery, and other particular quantities are calculated which are of medical specific interest. The numerical simulations of the cerebral circulation help doctors to determine if the patient’s own vascular anatomy has the conditions to allow arterial stenting by endovascular method before the surgery or even evaluate the effect of different stent structure and materials. The results show that the flow downstream the aneurysm is highly modified by the stent configuration and that the best choice for reducing the flow in the aneurysm is to use a completely extended Endeavor stent.

Pulsed arterial spin labeling effectively and dynamically observes changes in cerebral blood flow after mild traumatic brain injury

Cerebral blood flow is strongly associated with brain function, and is the main symptom and diagnostic basis for a variety of encephalopathies. However, changes in cerebral blood flow after mild traumatic brain injury remain poorly understood. This study sought to observe changes in cerebral blood flow in different regions after mild traumatic brain injury using pulsed arterial spin labeling. Our results demonstrate maximal cerebral blood flow in gray matter and minimal in the white matter of patients with mild traumatic brain injury. At the acute and subacute stages, cerebral blood flow was reduced in the occipital lobe, parietal lobe, central region, subcutaneous region, and frontal lobe. Cerebral blood flow was restored at the chronic stage. At the acute, subacute, and chronic stages, changes in cerebral blood flow were not apparent in the insula. Cerebral blood flow in the temporal lobe and limbic lobe diminished at the acute and subacute stages, but was restored at the chronic stage. These findings suggest that pulsed arterial spin labeling can precisely measure cerebral blood flow in various brain regions, and may play a reference role in evaluating a patient＇s condition and judging prognosis after traumatic brain injury.

The effects of decompressive craniectomy on cerebral blood flow volume and brain metabolism in different aged patients with severe traumatic brain injury

Objective To explore effects of decompressive craniectomy on cerebral blood flow volume and brain metabolism in different aged patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Methods 71 cases were divided into three groups according age: group A( 【 30 years) ,group B ( 30 ～ 50 years) 。

Cerebral Blood Flow Measurement in the Assessment of Post-Traumatic Cerebral Contusions

Brain trauma (BT) is extremely common in the Western society, and has been identified as the main cause of death and disability in the under-40 age group. Many aspects of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved and the effect of changes in cerebral metabolism are unclear. The aim of this study was to establish the rela- tionship between anatomical changes and deranged cerebral perfusion in patients with cerebral contusions, using Computed Tomography (CT) and Single Proton Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). Twenty- two (22) patients who had suffered BT were recruited. All patients underwent SPECT and CT head scans on the same day. 18 were men. Patient average age was 45.6. Patients were assessed using the Glasgow scale (average 10.6). Cause of trauma included traffic accidents (9 patients) and falls (13 patients). A 4-slice spiral CT scan was performed. For each contusion, areas of bleeding, edema, and healthy perilesional tissue were distinguished. SPECT was performed with 20 mCi of 99 mTcECD using a dual-head gamma camera (128 × 128 matrix). CT scan revealed a single lesion in 12 patients, and more than one lesion in 10. The biggest le- sions found on CT were located in the frontal region in 13 patients;temporal region in 4;and parietal region in 1;four patients had poorly defined lesions. A total absence of perfusion was visible in 18 patients in the hemorrhagic area and in 14 patients in the edema, In 7 cases SPECT showed hypoperfusion that did not cor- respond to any morphological changes on the CT scan. Quantitative of fused lesions appearing on both CT scan and SPECT revealed severe perfusion defects in the hemorrhagic area (17.8%) and in the edema (29.4%). In our study, regional cerebral blood flow add relevant information on encephalic damage in pa- tients with BT.

不同针灸介入时机对大脑中动脉供血区急性脑梗死神经功能预后的影响

目的观察不同针灸介入时机对大脑中动脉供血区急性脑梗死神经功能预后的影响。方法回顾性选取2020年1月—2022年8月收治的116例大脑中动脉供血区急性脑梗死患者的临床资料进行分析,根据针灸介入时机分为两组。两组均进行静脉溶栓及常规药物治疗,观察组61例患者于发病72 h内给予针灸治疗,对照组55例患者于发病2周时给予针灸治疗。检测两组不同时间点侧支循环代偿情况、脑损伤标志物的水平,评估两组不同时间点简易精神状态检查(Mini-mental state examination,MMSE)评分、神经功能评分、Barthel指数(Barthel index,BI)评分、肢体运动功能评分、中医症状评分的差异,统计两组疗效。结果治疗前,两组侧支循环代偿情况比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗4周和随访时,两组患侧大脑前动脉平均血流速度与对侧大脑中动脉平均血流速度的比值(Ratio of the average flow ve⁃locity of the affected anterior cerebral artery to the average flow velocity of the contralateral middle cerebral artery,iVACA/cVM⁃CA)较治疗前升高,观察组同时间点较对照组更高(P<0.05);两组患侧大脑后动脉平均血流速度与对侧大脑中动脉平均血流速度的比值(Ratio of the average flow velocity of the affected posterior cerebral artery to the average flow velocity of the contralateral middle cerebral artery,iVPCA/cVMCA)与治疗前比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗前,两组脑损伤标志物比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗4周和随访时,两组脑源性神经营养因子(Brain-derived neurotrophic factor,BDNF)较治疗前升高,观察组同时间点较对照组更高(P<0.05);两组钙结合蛋白β(Calcium binding proteinβ,S100β)、神经胶质纤维酸性蛋白(Glial fibrillary acid protein,GFAP)较治疗前下降,观察组同时间点较对照组更低(P<0.05)。治疗前,两组Fugl-Meyer评分、中医症状评分等相关评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗4周和随访时,两组MMSE评分、BI评分及上肢和下肢Fugl-Meyer评分较治疗前升高,观察组同时间点较对照组更高(P<0.05);两组美国国立卫生院神经功能缺损(National institutes of health stroke scale,NIHSS)评分、中医症状评分较治疗前下降,观察组同时间点较对照组更低(P<0.05)。观察组总有效率为88.52%(54/61)高于对照组的72.73%(40/55),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论发病72h内采用针灸治疗可改善大脑中动脉供血区急性脑梗死脑损伤标志物的表达,改善脑血流,促进神经功能的恢复,有利于疾病的康复。

眼针疗法影响脑血流量机制探讨

该文为探究眼针疗法对增加脑血流量产生作用的机制,首先从眼针针刺的范围、针刺的深度和可能涉及到的解剖结构,以查阅书籍、文献的方式归纳眼针穴区内的这些解剖结构,包括神经、动静脉、肌肉,探索这些结构的作用,并着重阐述这些结构通过眼针针刺后从现代医学的角度是通过何种机制影响脑血流量的。经过文献检索,文中总结了以下几种机制:即自动调节机制、化学调节机制、神经元调节机制、血管内皮细胞调节机制等能够增加脑血流量的机制,阐明了眼针疗法可能是从这些方面途径来提高大脑血流量的。其中的神经元调节机制更值得关注,并对神经血管耦合的概念进行了详细的阐述,认为其可能是眼针疗法调节脑血流量的直接作用机制,值得日后进一步探索。

高频彩超结合E-flow显像对早产儿早期脑血流灌注特点的观察

目的:探讨早产儿出生早期脑组织血流灌注特点。方法:应用高频超声结合E-flow血流显像技术,对体质量≥1 500 g早产儿(早产儿A组)35例、出生体质量<1 500 g(早产儿B组)33例、足月新生儿35例进行研究,在生后72小时内检测大脑中动脉(Middle cerebral artery,MAC)、豆纹动脉(Lenticulostriate artery,LSA)、豆纹动脉终末段(The terminal artery of lenticulostriate artery,LSAt)的血流参数,包括收缩期峰值流速(Vs)、舒张末期速度(Vd)、平均血流速度(Vm)、收缩期峰值流速与舒张末期速度的比值(S/D)、阻力指数(RI)。采用t检验比较各组间的差别。结果:早产儿A组MCA的Vs、Vd、Vm测值低于足月新生儿(P<0.05),且早产儿B组MCA的Vs、Vm低于早产儿A组(P<0.05);S/D、RI三组间比较无统计学差异(P>0.05)。早产儿A组的LSA、LSAt的血流参数Vs、Vd、Vm、S/D及RI均比足月儿组明显减低(P<0.01,P<0.05),且早产儿B组除S/D外,其余测值均低于早产儿A组(P<0.01)。结论:高频超声结合E-flow显像技术对脑实质内细小血管的血流参数进行检测,可更敏感地反映早产儿早期脑实质血流灌注的基础状态,为临床判断早产儿脑损伤时血流动力学变化提供依据。

麝香保心丸联合人脑利钠肽对急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者的心肌保护作用及对动脉血流参数、ST2和IL-33的影响

目的:探讨麝香保心丸联合人脑利钠肽对急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者的心肌保护作用,以及对动脉血流参数、可溶性生长刺激表达基因2(ST2)和白细胞介素33(IL-33)的影响。方法:该前瞻性研究的研究时间为2021年3月至2023年3月,受试对象为105例急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者,共脱落5例,最后完成疗程并有完整记录的为100例。将100例患者采用随机数字表法分为研究组和对照组,每组50例。两组患者入院后均采取常规吸氧、心电监护等措施,立即建立静脉通路,并行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗;对照组患者采用注射人脑利钠肽进行治疗,研究组患者在对照组的基础上口服麝香保心丸,两组患者均连续治疗14 d。比较研究组与对照组患者治疗前后胸痛胸闷、心悸、气短、疲倦乏力、面肢浮肿和气喘等中医症状积分并比较疗效,比较研究组与对照组患者冠状动脉再通率,治疗前后心肌标志物水平、动脉血流参数以及血清ST2、IL-33、一氧化氮(NO)和内皮素-1(ET-1)水平变化。结果:治疗后,研究组患者胸痛胸闷、心悸、气短、疲倦乏力、面肢浮肿和气喘等各项中医症状积分较对照组更低,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。研究组患者的治疗总有效率为96.00%(48/50),显著高于对照组的84.00%(42/50),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后,研究组患者血清N末端B型利钠肽前体、乳酸脱氢酶、心肌肌钙蛋白T和肌酸磷酸激酶含量较对照组更低;研究组患者冠状动脉再通率分级情况显著优于对照组;研究组患者左心室射血分数、左心室高峰充盈率、收缩期血流速度峰值、舒张期血流速度峰值和冠状动脉血流速度储备较对照组更高,左心室舒张末期内径较对照组更低;研究组患者血清ST2、IL-33和ET-1水平较对照组更低,血清NO水平较对照组更高,上述差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:麝香保心丸联合人脑利钠肽对急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者的疗效较好,有助于保护心肌细胞,改善动脉血流循环,其心肌保护作用机制可能与减少ST2和IL-33的表达以及减轻血管损伤有关。

iFlow成像辅助诊断脑血管性病变

目的评估iFlow成像在脑血管性病变中的辅助诊断价值。方法对65例脑血管病变患者进行常规全脑2DDSA检查,对所采集的图像用iFlow软件编码,由低年资和高年资医师分别观察2D DSA图像及iFlow彩色编码血流图的血管解剖、病灶形态、大小、血流动力学情况,评估iFlow对脑血管病变是否具有辅助诊断价值。结果 iFlow成像能在一幅iFlow彩色编码血流图上完整显示脑血管DSA采集的动态序列所包含的病变信息,包括病灶的解剖形态、血流动力学变化及组织灌注情况,较2D DSA更加直观。低年资医师和高年资医师对iFlow辅助诊断价值认定的差异有统计学意义(χ2=6.032,P=0.014)。结论 iFlow较单独2D DSA图像显示病变更全面,能对临床医师、尤其是低年资医师诊断和评估脑血管病变提供帮助。

基于伪连续式动脉自旋标记对原发性三叉神经痛病人疼痛相关脑区血流量的分析

目的应用伪连续式动脉自旋标记(pCASL)技术分析原发性三叉神经痛(PTN)病人疼痛相关脑区局部脑血流量(rCBF)的变化。方法回顾性纳入48例PTN病人,根据疼痛部位将病人分为右侧PTN(RPTN)组28例和左侧PTN(LPTN)组20例,另纳入健康对照(HC)35例。全部研究对象均行常规头颅MRI及动脉自旋标记(ASL)成像检查,选取中央后回、岛叶、前扣带回、眶额皮质、丘脑共5个疼痛相关的感兴趣脑区(ROI)并分析rCBF值。采用配对t检验比较3组内左右两侧的rCBF值,采用SNK校正的单因素方差分析比较3组间的rCBF值。结果RPTN组左侧和LPTN组右侧的中央后回、眶额皮质r CBF均增高(均P<0.05),RPTN组和LPTN组右侧岛叶rCBF均增高(均P<0.05),RPTN组左侧和LPTN组右侧丘脑r CBF均减低(均P<0.05)。3组间比较发现,RPTN组左侧和LPTN组右侧的中央后回、眶额皮质r CBF值均高于其他2组(均P<0.05),RPTN组左侧和LPTN组右侧的丘脑rCBF值均低于其他2组(均P<0.05),RPTN组、LPTN组右侧岛叶rCBF值均高于HC组(均P<0.05)。结论pCASL技术显示PTN病人中央后回、右侧岛叶、眶额皮质、丘脑的rCBF均发生改变,提示PTN的发生可能导致与疼痛相关脑区的脑血流量的改变。

调神通窍针刺治疗卒中后抑郁临床疗效观察

目的:观察调神通窍针刺治疗卒中后抑郁(post-stroke depression,PSD)的临床疗效。方法:将60例PSD患者按照随机数字表方法分为常规针刺组和调神针刺组各30例。两组均予脑卒中常规诊疗方案治疗,在此基础上,常规针刺组取百会穴、印堂穴、太冲穴等腧穴行常规针刺治疗;调神针刺组取百会穴、神庭穴、前顶穴等腧穴行调神针刺治疗,两组均每日治疗1次,每周治疗6天,连续治疗4周。治疗后观察两组临床疗效及汉密尔顿抑郁量表(Hamilton depression scale,HAMD)评分、双侧大脑中动脉(middle cerebral artery,MCA)平均血流速度和脑储备能力评分的变化。结果:治疗后两组临床疗效比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗后两组HAMD评分和脑储备能力评分均较治疗前降低(P<0.05),双侧MCA平均血流速度较治疗前增快(P<0.05),且调神针刺组HAMD评分、脑储备能力评分低于常规针刺组(P<0.05),MCA平均血流速度大于常规针刺组。结论:调神通窍针刺可明显改善PSD患者的抑郁状态及脑血流速度,提高脑储备能力。

流动敏感黑血序列三维T_(1)WI增强扫描在脑转移瘤中的应用价值

目的:探讨3.0T磁共振流动敏感黑血序列三维T_(1)加权增强扫描(FSBB 3D CE-T_(1)WI)在脑转移瘤中的应用价值。方法:回顾性将2021年1月-2022年8月在本院就诊且经临床和影像检查证实的52例脑转移患者纳入研究。所有患者分别行颅脑FSBB 3D CE-T_(1)WI、FSE CE-T_(1)WI和快速梯度回波序列三维T_(1)加权对比增强(FFE 3D CE-T_(1)WI)扫描,采用卡方检验或Fisher精确概率检验比较3个序列之间病灶检出率的差异。结果:经随访证实颅内转移灶总数为371个,FSBB 3D CE-T_(1)WI的检出率99.73%(370/371),FFE 3D CE-T_(1)WI的检出率为83.02%(308/371),FSE CE-T_(1)WI的检出率为78.44%(291/371),三者之间检出率的差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=82.748,P<0.05)。分层分析:直径<3 mm的转移灶共160个,FSE CE-T_(1)WI、FFE 3D CE-T_(1)WI和FSBB 3D CE-T_(1)WI的检出率分别为50.62%、60.62%和99.37%,三个序列之间检出率的差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=101.436,P<0.05);对于直径3~10 mm的转移灶,FSE CE-T_(1)WI、FFE 3D CE-T_(1)WI和FSBB 3D CE-T_(1)WI的检出率分别为99.38%、100%和100%,三个序列之间检出率的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);对直径>10 mm的转移灶,三个序列的检出率均为100%,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:FSBB 3D CE-T_(1)WI在检出脑转移瘤方面要优于常规和高分辨序列MR增强扫描,值得临床推广。

脑电仿生电刺激结合醒脑开窍法对持续植物状态脑影像结构和血流量分析

目的研究脑电仿生电刺激结合醒脑开窍法对持续植物状态患者脑影像结构和血流量的影响。方法选取2019年1月—2021年1月期间于医院就诊的持续植物状态住院治疗的患者110例根据治疗方法的不同分为观察组(60例)和对照组(50例)。对照组接受脑电仿生电刺激治疗,观察组在对照组基础上联用“醒脑开窍”法促醒,两组均持续治疗30 d。治疗前后评估比较两组CRS-R,计算N-乙酰天门冬氨酸(NAA)/肌酸(Cr)和胆碱复合物(Cho)/Cr值,比较脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2(Lp-PLA2)、总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)、锰超氧化物歧化酶(Mn-SOD)、脑血容量(CBV)、脑血流量(CBF)、内皮素-1(ET-1)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)。结果治疗后,观察组CRS-R评分高于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗后,观察组NAA/Cr高于对照组,Cho/Cr值低于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗后,观察组Lp-PLA2低于对照组,T-SOD及Mn-SOD水平高于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组治疗后CBV和CBF水平明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组治疗后NO、ET-1及VEGF水平显著优于对照组(P<0.05)。结论脑电仿生电刺激联合醒脑开窍针法可改善持续植物状态患者的意识状态、脑影像结构和血流量。

多普勒超声血流参数及血清脑钠肽、胰岛素生长因子-1水平与子痫前期病情及预后的相关性分析

目的:探索多普勒超声血流参数及血清脑钠肽(BNP)、胰岛素生长因子-1(IGF-1)水平与子痫前期(PE)病情及预后的相关性。方法:回顾性分析2019年2月至2021年5月万宁市人民医院收集的162例孕妇临床资料,将其中80例正常妊娠孕妇纳入健康对照组,82例PE孕妇纳入观察组。均进行血清BNP、IGF-1以及超声检测,根据受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线下面积(AUC),分析血流阻力指数(RI)、血管指数(VI)、肾脏血流指数(FI)、IGF-1及BNP诊断效能。采用相关性分析血流参数、血清指标与预后相关性。结果:观察组BNP为(90.61±41.71)pg/ml高于健康对照组,差异有统计学意义(t=12.334,P<0.05),VI为(17.35±4.86)%、FI为(34.29±5.55)、IGF-1为(110.35±33.36)g/L,均低于健康对照组,差异有统计学意义(t=7.483、10.163、15.147,P<0.05)。观察组中轻度PE为48例,重度PE为34例,重度PE的BNP为(121.46±37.75)pg/ml高于轻度PE,VI为(13.94±0.24)%、FI为(30.47±3.23)、IGF-1为(89.86±24.17)g/L均低于轻度PE,经Spearman法分析,病情严重程度和预后与VI、FI、IGF-1呈负相关性,与BNP呈正相关性。ROC曲线分析显示,RI、VI、FI、IGF-1、BNP及5项联合诊断重度PE的AUC值分别为0.500、0.888、0.873、0.772、0.862、0.983。观察组中预后良好67例,预后不良15例,预后不良BNP为(87.56±16.35)pg/ml,高于预后良好,差异有统计学意义(t=15.804,P<0.05),VI为(18.60±4.70)%、FI为(33.40±3.56)、IGF-1为(112.35±35.22)g/L,均低于预后良好,差异有统计学意义(t=2.574、5.362、8.750,P<0.05)。结论:血清BNP、IGF-1水平以及多普勒超声血流参数与子痫前期病情、预后存在一定相关性,可为后续治疗、预后提供客观依据。

急性脑梗死偏瘫患者干预后脑血流量和血清NT-3、BDNF水平与功能恢复的关系

目的探讨急性脑梗死偏瘫患者干预后脑血流量和血清神经营养因子-3(NT-3)、脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)水平与功能恢复的关系。方法选取ACI患者60例,入院后均行常规治疗(抗凝、抗血小板、调脂、清除氧自由基和活血化瘀)和综合康复治疗,持续干预4周。比较患者治疗前、后脑血流量[大脑前动脉(ACA)、大脑中动脉(MCA)]、血清NT-3、BDNF水平和功能恢复[神经功能评价量表(NIHSS)、Fugl-Meyer运动功能量表(FMA)]水平。结果治疗后急性脑梗死偏瘫患者ACA水平和MCA水平均高于治疗前(P<0.05)。治疗后急性脑梗死偏瘫患者血清NT-3水平低于治疗前,BDNF水平高于治疗前(P<0.05)。治疗后急性脑梗死偏瘫患者NIHSS评分低于治疗前,FMA评分高于治疗前(P<0.05)。ACA、MCA、BDNF与NIHSS评分呈负相关,与FMA评分呈正相关(P<0.05)。NT-3与NIHSS评分呈正相关,与FMA评分呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论急性脑梗死偏瘫患者干预后脑血流量和血清NT-3、BDNF水平有明显改善,可以较好反映患者肢体功能与运动功能的恢复水平。

Protective effects of dl-3n-butylphthalide against diffuse brain injury

DI-3n-butyiphthalide can effectively treat cerebral ischemia; however, the mechanisms underlying the effects of dl-3n-butylphthalide on microcirculation disorders following diffuse brain injury remain unclear. In this study, models of diffuse brain injury were established in Sprague-Dawley rats with the vertical impact method. DI-3n-butylphthalide at 80 and 160 mg/kg was given via intraperitoneal injection immediately after diffuse brain injury. Ultrastructural changes in the cerebral cortex were observed using electron microscopy. Cerebral blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry, vascular density was marked by tannic acid-ferric chloride staining, vascular permeability was es- timated by the Evans blue method, brain water content was measured using the dry-wet method, and rat behavior was measured by motor function and sensory function tests. At 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after administration of dl-3n-butylphthalide, reduced cerebral ultrastructure damage, in- creased vascular density and cerebral blood flow, and improved motor and sensory functions were observed. Our findings demonstrate that dl-3n-butylphthalide may have protective effects against diffuse brain injury by ameliorating microcirculation disorder and reducing blood-brain barrier dam- age and cerebral edema.

早期颅骨修补术在脑外伤治疗中的临床疗效研究

探讨在脑外伤治疗中早期颅骨修补术的临床效果。选取2017年10月—2021年10月兰州市西固区人民医院收治的56例脑外伤患者为研究对象,采用随机数字表法将其分成对照组(n=28,脑外伤手术后3个月后进行颅骨修补术)与研究组(n=28,脑外伤手术后3个月内进行早期颅骨修补术),对比两组患者治疗效果。结果显示,研究组痊愈患者数量多于对照组,重度残疾患者数量少于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后,研究组患者NIHSS评分低于对照组,MMSE评分高于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后,研究组患者健侧与患侧大脑中动脉平均血流速度均大于对照组(P<0.05);研究组患者并发症总发生率低于对照组(P<0.05)。研究发现,早期颅骨修补术在脑外伤治疗中的临床疗效明显,可降低患者残疾率,改善患者神经功能缺损情况,并发症发生率较低,值得临床推广应用。

A brief report on MRI investigation of experimental traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of death and disability. This is a brief report based on a symposium presentation to the 2014 Chinese Neurotrauma Association Meeting in San Francisco, USA. It covers the work from our laboratory in applying multimodal MRI to study experimental traumatic brain injury in rats with comparisons made to behavioral tests and histology. MRI protocols include structural, perfusion, manganese-enhanced, diffusion-tensor MRI, and MRI of blood-brain barrier integrity and cerebrovascular reactivity.

Magnetic resonance imaging and cell-based neurorestorative therapy after brain injury

Restorative cell-based therapies for experimental brain injury, such as stroke and traumatic brain injury,substantially improve functional outcome. We discuss and review state of the art magnetic resonance imaging methodologies and their applications related to cell-based treatment after brain injury. We focus on the potential of magnetic resonance imaging technique and its associated challenges to obtain useful new information related to cell migration, distribution, and quantitation, as well as vascular and neuronal remodeling in response to cell-based therapy after brain injury. The noninvasive nature of imaging might more readily help with translation of cell-based therapy from the laboratory to the clinic.

Quantification of Tc-99m-ethyl cysteinate dimer brain single photon emission computed tomography images using statistical probabilistic brain atlas in depressive end-stage renal disease patients:Correlation with disease severity and symptom factors

This study adapted a statistical probabilistic anatomical map of the brain for single photon emission computed tomography images of depressive end-stage renal disease patients. This research aimed to investigate the relationship between symptom clusters, disease severity, and cerebral blood flow. Twenty-seven patients （16 males, 11 females） with stages 4 and 5 end-stage renal disease were enrolled, along with 25 healthy controls. All patients underwent depressive mood assessment and brain single photon emission computed tomography. The statistical probabilistic anatomical map images were used to calculate the brain single photon emission computed tomography counts. Asymmetric index was acquired and Pearson correlation analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between symptom factors, severity, and regional cerebral blood flow. The depression factors of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale showed a negative correlation with cerebral blood flow in the left amygdale. The insomnia factor showed negative correlations with cerebral blood flow in the left amygdala, right superior frontal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and left middle frontal gyrus. The anxiety factor showed a positive correlation with cerebral glucose metabolism in the cerebellar vermis and a negative correlation with cerebral glucose metabolism in the left globus pailidus, right inferior frontal gyrus, both temporal poles, and left parahippocampus. The overall depression severity （total scores of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale） was negatively correlated with the statistical probabilistic anatomical map results in the left amygdala and right inferior frontal gyrus. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the disease severity and extent of cerebral blood flow quantified by a probabilistic brain atlas was related to various brain areas in terms of the overall severity and symptom factors in end-stage renal disease patients.