New technique to see the brain in depth

The ability to visualize cerebral vasculature and blood flow in extreme measures has been developed by researchers at Stanford University. It has only worked on mice so far but could benefit on humans as well because it has the potential to give insights into conditions where blood flow in the brain is interrupted. Migraines and strokes are examples of this. Nature Photonics is where the study has been published. CT and MRI scans are helpful, but they don’t show things in enough detail. Fluorescence-based techniques can be used by scientists as they give a detailed image. This involves either thinning the skull or removing part of it, this can affect the brain. This would lead to Scientist pursuing in developing a technique where the brain in displayed in detail without actually touching it.

The process of this technique starts with photoluminescent carbon nanotubes injected into a live mouse’s bloodstream and then a nearinfrared light, named NIR-lla light, is shown over the mouse’s skull, allowing the nanotubes to show fluoresce at a certain range of wavelengths. The researchers can see the mouse’s brain in depth because the wavelengths are optimal for reduce light scattering.“The NIR-lla light can pass through intact scalp skin and skull and penetrate millimetres into the brain, allowing us to see vasculature in an almost non-invasive way,” first author Guosong Hong said in a news-release. “All we have to remove is some hair.” This also could shine a light on situations relating to certain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, considering that it is assumed changes in blood flow within certain areas of the brain could affect people.