Imaging Brain Fluids During Breathing

Boston University Charles River Campus80 enrolled

Overview

This study will perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of hemodynamics and cerebrospinal fluid flow across breathing tasks and during breath-locked neuromodulation.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow is essential for brain health, as it clears waste products from the brain. This study will investigate how breathing affects the flow of CSF around the brain. The investigators will perform high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in participants who are breathing in specific patterns or performing simple tasks and test the effects on CSF flow. Participants will complete an imaging study visit in which the investigators will image their brain activity while they perform simple tasks, including paced breathing tasks. The participants will be split into two arms: (1) paced breathing (25 participants low resolution, 15 participants high resolution), (2) transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (25 participants low resolution, 15 participants high resolution). The MRI scans will take place in the 7 Tesla MRI scanner at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Healthy

Interventions

Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulationDEVICE

Noninvasive stimulation vs sham stimulation will be delivered via an auricular device.

Breathing taskBEHAVIORAL

Participants will be asked to breathe in specific patterns.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 70 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Adult age 18-70 years Exclusion Criteria: * No ferrous metal implanted in head or body * No history of major head trauma * No neurological or psychiatric disorder * Not using medication that affects brain function * No implanted electronic devices (e.g. pacemaker) * No implant that poses an MR contraindication * Not pregnant, suspect they are pregnant, or seeking to become pregnant * Not claustrophobic * No piercings or jewelry that cannot be removed * Does not weigh more than 250 pounds * Normal or contact-corrected normal vision Exclusion for transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) arm: * Conditions of skin or anatomy that affect left auricle or forehead skin and could impact placement of electrodes for tVNS or forehead stimulation * Diagnosis of significant cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease \[e.g. congestive heart failure, stroke, cardiac conduction disorders (including: bundle branch block, heart block, long Q-T syndrome), history of asystole or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. * Bradycardia (defined as resting heart rate \<50 bpm) * Hypotension defined as blood pressure \<90/60 mmHg

Locations (2)

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

RECRUITING

Boston University - Charles River Campus

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals

fMRI measures of hemodynamic responses. Units: percent signal change

Time frame: During study (2 hours)

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) signals

MR-based measures of CSF signals. Units: percent signal change

Time frame: During study (2 hours)

Secondary Outcomes

Heart rate

Heart rate variability will be calculated. Units: milliseconds (ms)

Time frame: During study ( 2 hours)

Pulse oximetry

Amplitude of pulse oximetry signal. Units: arbitrary (no physical units are output by this system)

Time frame: During study ( 2 hours)

Respiratory physiology timing

Breath timing. Units: Hertz (Hz)

Time frame: During study (2 hours)

Respiratory physiology amplitude

Breath amplitude. Units: arbitrary (no physical units output by this sensor)

Time frame: During study (2 hours)

Central Contacts

Jessica Yee, BS

CONTACT

7742852038 jessyee@bu.edu

Courtney Zambello, BA

CONTACT

7812019815 cgz@bu.edu

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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