MRI for Brain Blood Flow During Exercise

Overseen By Anna J Howery, MS

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison

Disqualifiers: Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes, Depression, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

45 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you have mild depression or anxiety controlled with medication, you will not be excluded.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment MRI, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, for measuring brain blood flow during exercise?

Research shows that MRI can effectively measure changes in brain blood flow during exercise, as demonstrated by studies using MRI to track blood flow dynamics in the brain and other major vessels during physical activity. This suggests that MRI is a reliable tool for assessing how exercise affects brain blood flow. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is MRI safe for measuring brain blood flow during exercise?

MRI is generally considered safe for measuring brain blood flow during exercise, as shown in studies with healthy volunteers using MR-compatible exercise equipment. These studies did not report any safety concerns related to the use of MRI during exercise. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

How does MRI for brain blood flow during exercise differ from other treatments for this condition?

This treatment is unique because it uses MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to measure brain blood flow during exercise, providing real-time insights into how exercise affects cerebral blood flow, which is not typically assessed by other treatments. Unlike standard treatments that might focus on medication or physical therapy, this approach offers a non-invasive way to study the brain's response to exercise, potentially leading to better understanding and management of cerebrovascular health. ^{1 2 3 5 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Brain blood flow will be measured during exercise using magnetic resonance imaging.

Research Team

Jill N Barnes, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for healthy men and women aged 20-40 who exercise regularly, at least three times a week for 30 minutes. They should be familiar with using cardio exercise equipment but not have a high BMI, any major health issues like heart or kidney disease, or contraindications to MRI.

Inclusion Criteria

Demonstrate an exercise history of engaging in aerobic physical activity at least 3 times per week for a minimum of 30 continuous minutes

I am a healthy adult aged between 20 and 40.

Have experience using cardiovascular exercise equipment (e.g., treadmill, elliptical, upright or recumbent bicycle, stair-stepper)

Exclusion Criteria

I am not pregnant, imprisoned, or unable to consent for myself.

If the desired moderate/vigorous exercise intensity corresponds to > 350 watts on the stepper device

My BMI is 30 or higher.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Exercise Testing

Participants undergo exercise testing to measure cerebral blood flow and vessel function using MRI

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after exercise testing

2 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• MRI

Trial Overview The study measures how blood flows in the brain during exercise using an MRI. Participants will perform aerobic physical activities while their brain's blood flow responses are monitored.

Participant Groups

Group I: Young Adults Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Young Adults between 20-40 years of age.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,249

Recruited

3,255,000+

Findings from Research

The study successfully measured great vessel flow in 16 healthy volunteers during rest and submaximal exercise, demonstrating a strong correlation in flow measurements (r = 0.9, p < 0.0005).

Aortic flow volume significantly increased during exercise, indicating that MR flow mapping can safely quantify changes in blood flow, which may help in assessing hemodynamic issues in patients with cardiac disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Measurement of aortic and pulmonary flow with MRI at rest and during physical exercise. Niezen, RA., Doornbos, J., van der Wall, EE., et al.[2019]

During moderate-intensity rhythmic handgrip exercise, cerebral blood flow (CBF) increases while cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow decreases, indicating a dynamic relationship between these two systems in maintaining intracranial pressure.

The study involved 26 young healthy participants and used advanced imaging techniques to show that changes in blood and CSF flow are closely correlated, supporting the Monro-Kellie hypothesis of intracranial volume-pressure homeostasis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brain blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamics during rhythmic handgrip exercise in young healthy men and women. Tarumi, T., Yamabe, T., Fukuie, M., et al.[2021]

High-resolution phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) is effective for quantifying aortic and pulmonary blood flow during both rest and exercise in healthy individuals, as demonstrated in a study with 20 volunteers.

The study found that medium exercise stages (40% heart rate increase) were sufficient to show significant changes in blood flow parameters, suggesting that PC-MRI could be a valuable tool for assessing hemodynamic conditions in patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-resolution phase-contrast MRI of aortic and pulmonary blood flow during rest and physical exercise using a MRI compatible bicycle ergometer. Weber, TF., von Tengg-Kobligk, H., Kopp-Schneider, A., et al.[2011]

The study successfully quantified regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and volume (rCBV) in gray and white matter using dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in 12 subjects, providing mean rCBF values of 69.7 mL/min for gray matter and 33.6 mL/min for white matter.

An age-related decline in rCBF and rCBV was observed, indicating that this imaging technique could be useful for understanding changes in brain blood flow and volume associated with aging.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quantification of regional cerebral blood flow and volume with dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MR imaging. Rempp, KA., Brix, G., Wenz, F., et al.[2016]

This study successfully used pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) MRI to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF) during different intensities of exercise in 12 healthy volunteers, revealing that CBF in the hippocampus decreased significantly during both moderate and vigorous exercise, while the motor cortex showed an initial increase during moderate exercise before decreasing during vigorous exercise and recovery.

The findings highlight the importance of using pCASL-MRI for accurate CBF measurements during physical activity, as traditional methods using carotid blood flow may overestimate cerebral perfusion, especially during exercise.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dynamic MR imaging of cerebral perfusion during bicycling exercise. Mast, IH., Baas, KPA., Jørstad, HT., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 11 young, healthy subjects, exercise significantly increased heart rate and total blood flow through the abdominal aorta, demonstrating the body's adaptive response to physical activity.

During exercise, blood flow to the digestive and renal circulations decreased, while infrarenal blood flow surged, indicating a redistribution of blood flow to support active muscles, along with a notable increase in wall shear stress in both the supraceliac and infrarenal aorta.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

In vivo quantification of blood flow and wall shear stress in the human abdominal aorta during lower limb exercise. Taylor, CA., Cheng, CP., Espinosa, LA., et al.[2019]

The newly developed exercise cardiovascular magnetic resonance (ExCMR) protocol using a cycle ergometer shows excellent reproducibility in measuring cardiac function, making it a promising tool for clinical assessments of heart health.

This protocol effectively differentiates athletes from non-athletes based on their exercise capacity, with athletes showing significantly higher cardiac index during peak exercise compared to healthy volunteers, indicating its potential for physiological studies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessing exercise cardiac reserve using real-time cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Le, TT., Bryant, JA., Ting, AE., et al.[2018]

Using flow-alternating inversion-recovery MRI at 3.0 T significantly improved the signal-to-noise ratio for measuring cerebral perfusion compared to 1.5 T, indicating better imaging quality.

The 3.0 T MRI revealed over 80% more activated brain areas during motor tasks, including activation in the supplementary motor area that was not detected at 1.5 T, suggesting enhanced sensitivity for detecting brain activity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pulsed arterial spin labeling: comparison of multisection baseline and functional MR imaging perfusion signal at 1.5 and 3.0 T: initial results in six subjects. Yongbi, MN., Fera, F., Yang, Y., et al.[2006]

In a study of 20 young adults, higher aerobic fitness (measured by V. O2peak) was linked to greater cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), indicating better blood flow response to carbon dioxide, which is important for brain health.

Interestingly, the study found that higher aerobic fitness was associated with lower baseline cerebral blood flow (CBF) in certain brain regions, suggesting a complex relationship between fitness and brain blood flow dynamics.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessment of the Effects of Aerobic Fitness on Cerebrovascular Function in Young Adults Using Multiple Inversion Time Arterial Spin Labeling MRI. Foster, C., Steventon, JJ., Helme, D., et al.[2022]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Measurement of aortic and pulmonary flow with MRI at rest and during physical exercise. [2019]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brain blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamics during rhythmic handgrip exercise in young healthy men and women. [2021]

3. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-resolution phase-contrast MRI of aortic and pulmonary blood flow during rest and physical exercise using a MRI compatible bicycle ergometer. [2011]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quantification of regional cerebral blood flow and volume with dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MR imaging. [2016]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dynamic MR imaging of cerebral perfusion during bicycling exercise. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

In vivo quantification of blood flow and wall shear stress in the human abdominal aorta during lower limb exercise. [2019]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessing exercise cardiac reserve using real-time cardiovascular magnetic resonance. [2018]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pulsed arterial spin labeling: comparison of multisection baseline and functional MR imaging perfusion signal at 1.5 and 3.0 T: initial results in six subjects. [2006]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessment of the Effects of Aerobic Fitness on Cerebrovascular Function in Young Adults Using Multiple Inversion Time Arterial Spin Labeling MRI. [2022]