This study evaluates the impact of hypoxic and hyperoxic breathing on measures of brain redox balance and metabolism in healthy individuals. All participants will undergo an MRI scan during administration of air mixtures with different oxygen concentrations to collect the brain measures.
Molecular oxygen (O2) constitutes 21% of the air people breathe at sea level. But humans can safely be exposed to somewhat lower and higher concentrations of oxygen. The varying amounts of oxygen entering the body modulate the oxygen available in tissue, ultimately leading to change in redox balance and metabolism. The investigators recently developed non-invasive MRI-based techniques to quantify redox balance and ATP generation in the brain. These processes are thought to be abnormal in people with psychiatric disorders. In this study, the investigators aim to manipulate the concentration of oxygen in the breathed air in 2 separate MRI scans on consecutive days (16% and 26%). The investigators anticipate that healthy individuals will demonstrate changes in brain redox balance and metabolism in response to these modulations.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Inspiratory gas mixtures: Hypoxic inspiratory gas will be obtained by adding nitrogen (N2) to normobaric, normoxic air with medical N2 tanks. Delivery of gas mixture: The gas mixture will be delivered by standard tight facemask.
Inspiratory gas mixtures: Hyperoxic inspiratory gas will be obtained by adding oxygen (O2) to normobaric, normoxic air with medical O2 tanks. Delivery of gas mixture: The gas mixture will be delivered by standard tight facemask.
McLean Hospital
Belmont, Massachusetts, United States
NAD+/NADH ratio
NAD+ and NADH concentrations are measured using 31P MRS scanning
Time frame: During 30 minute hypoxic/hyperoxic exposure portion of the MRS scan
CK Kf
Reaction rate of the creatine kinase enzyme measured using 31P MRS scanning
Time frame: During 30 minute hypoxic/hyperoxic exposure portion of the MRS scan
PCr
Phosphocreatine concentration measured using 31P MRS scanning
Time frame: During 30 minute hypoxic/hyperoxic exposure portion of the MRS scan
Pi
Inorganic phosphate concentration measured using 31P MRS scanning
Time frame: During 30 minute hypoxic/hyperoxic exposure portion of the MRS scan
ATP
ATP concentration measured using 31P MRS scanning
Time frame: During 30 minute hypoxic/hyperoxic exposure portion of theMRS scan
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