Cerebral Circulation and Cognition in Aging Humans
The brain has a high demand for glucose and oxygen; with a weight of only 100-1300 grams, it receives 15 -20 % of the body’s circulation. Inadequate blood flow leads to neuronal injury. Cerebral autoregulation is the mechanism that aim to maintain a stable blood flow to the brain, despite changes in blood pressure. Neurovascular coupling is the mechanism that drives a large increase in regional brain perfusion following cognitive activation. A well known example is the BOLD response to cognitive activation that is used in fMRI.
We use transcranial Doppler, Near Infrared Spectroscopy, and MRI ASL to measure cerebral perfusion, cerebral autoregulation and cognitive activation. These physiological mechanisms play an important role in Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension, and cognitive aging.
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| Name: | Jurgen Claassen |
| Visiting address: | Department of Geriatrics, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, route 925 Reinier Postlaan 4 6525 GC Nijmegen The Netherlands |
| Postal address: |
Dept. of Geriatrics, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center |
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Theme 3:
Plasticity and Memory
Research Group
Cerebral Circulation and Cognition in Humans
Principal Investigator
Dr. J.A.H.R. Claassen
Group members
PhDs:
Rianne de Heus
Daan de Jong
Carlijn Maasakker
Freek Nieuwhof
Sharon Ooms
Marit Sanders
Research assistant:
Jana Thomas