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Updated: Apr 7, 2026
Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography for Functional Imaging in Vascular Research
Published on: June 8, 2022
Assessment of neurovascular dynamics during transient ischemic attack by the novel integration of
Yu-Hang Liu1, Lun-De Liao2, Stacey Sze Hui Tan3
1Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology (SINAPSE), National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, #05-COR, 117456, Singapore; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Rd, 119077, Singapore.
Abstract:
This study developed a novel system combining a 16-channel micro-electrocorticography (μECoG) electrode array and functional photoacoustic microscopy (fPAM) to examine changes in neurovascular functions following transient ischemic attack (TIA) in rats. To mimic the pathophysiology of TIA, a modified photothrombotic ischemic model was developed by using 3 min illumination of 5 mW continuous-wave (CW) green laser light focusing on a distal branch of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Cerebral blood volume (CBV), hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SO2), somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and alpha-to-delta ratio (ADR) were measured pre- and post-ischemia over a focal cortical region (i.e., 1.5×1.5 mm(2)). Unexpectedly, the SO2, peak-to-peak amplitude (PPA) of SSEPs and ADR recovered and achieved levels greater than the baseline values at the 4th hour post-ischemia induction without any intervention, whereas the CBV value only partially recovered. In other words, transient ischemia led to increased neural activity when the relative CBV was reduced, which may further compromise neural integrity or lead to subsequent vascular disease. This novel μECoG-fPAM system complements currently available imaging techniques and represents a promising technology for studying neurovascular coupling in animal models.
