Using Laser Doppler Imaging and Monitoring to Analyze Spinal Cord Microcirculation in Rat

Journal of Visualized Experiments, 2018 · DOI: 10.3791/56243 · Published: May 30, 2018

Spinal Cord Injury Cardiovascular Science Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study uses laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) to measure blood flow in the spinal cord of rats after injury. LDF is a noninvasive method for blood flow measurement, making it useful for studying microcirculatory changes. The researchers used both laser Doppler imaging and monitoring techniques. Laser Doppler imaging provides a local distribution of blood flow, while laser Doppler monitoring measures blood flow and oxygen saturation over time. The data from these methods can be used to assess the effects of treatments on perfusion after spinal cord injury and to understand how blood flow affects the spinal cord's function.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Spinal cord injury (SCI) induced a reduction of blood flow (BF), with the epicenter of the injury showing lower BF compared to rostral and caudal regions.
2
Spinal cord oxygen saturation (SO2) was remarkably lower after spinal cord concussion, consistent with the change in blood flow after injury.
3
Laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI) provided a geographic distribution of BF, allowing for comparative analysis of BF in different locations around the injury.

Research Summary

This study demonstrates the use of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) techniques, including both imaging and monitoring, to analyze spinal cord microcirculation in a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI). The results showed that SCI leads to a significant reduction in blood flow and oxygen saturation in the spinal cord, particularly at the injury epicenter. The study highlights the potential of LDF as a non-invasive and reliable method for longitudinal monitoring of blood flow changes post-SCI, which is crucial for evaluating treatment effects and understanding the pathophysiology of microvascular diseases.

Practical Implications

Treatment Evaluation

The method described can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatments aimed at improving spinal cord perfusion after injury.

Understanding SCI Pathophysiology

The techniques provide insights into the microvascular changes that occur following spinal cord injury, helping to understand the mechanisms of secondary damage.

Drug Development

Laser Doppler flowmetry can be applied in experimental models, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacokinetic evaluations to assess drug effects on blood flow.

Study Limitations

1
The technology has limitations such as the disability of calibration with absolute flow and sensitivity to movement artifact.
2
Another well-noticed limitation is the biological zero signal – that is, the presence of signal without BF.
3
LDF signals consist of different features of both time and frequency.

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