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Functional MRI BOLD response in sickle mice with hyperalgesia.
Ying Wang1, Xiao Wang2, Wei Chen2
1Vascular Biology Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology/Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Blood Cells, Molecules & Diseases
|June 6, 2017
Summary
Sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients show reduced brain oxygenation changes during hypoxia. This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study links these altered brain responses to chronic pain in SCA.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Hematology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Sickle cell anemia (SCA) involves abnormal hemoglobin, causing red blood cells (RBCs) to sickle.
- Sickled RBCs obstruct blood flow, leading to vaso-occlusive crises (VOC), organ damage, and chronic pain.
- Cerebral blood oxygenation changes in SCA are not well understood, particularly in relation to pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate brain oxygenation responses to hypoxia in a mouse model of SCA using functional MRI (fMRI).
- To explore the relationship between altered brain oxygenation, chronic pain, and acute pain episodes in SCA.
Main Methods:
- Utilized blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) fMRI to assess brain activity in response to hypoxia.
- Compared BOLD responses in SCA mice (HbSS-BERK) with control mice (HbAA-BERK).
- Examined SCA mice with and without hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) induced acute pain.
Main Results:
- SCA mice with chronic pain exhibited diminished BOLD responses to hypoxia compared to controls.
- SCA mice experiencing acute pain (following H/R) showed even smaller BOLD signal changes.
- Findings suggest a correlation between reduced cerebral BOLD signal changes and nociception in SCA.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral BOLD responses to hypoxia are impaired in SCA mice, particularly during pain episodes.
- Altered brain oxygenation dynamics may contribute to the pathophysiology of pain in sickle cell anemia.
- BOLD fMRI is a potential tool for assessing neurological complications in SCA.
