“Quantitative Imaging of Blood Flow and Microvasculature with Light”

Andrew Dunn, Ph.D.
Professor, Director of Center for Emerging Imaging Technologies
Edward S. Hyman Endowed Chair in Engineering
Department of Biomedical Engineering
University of Texas at Austin
 

ABSTRACT
This talk will describe recent advances in real-time imaging of cerebral blood flow and microvasculature using laser speckle contrast imaging and multiphoton fluorescence microscopy. Technical developments in laser speckle imaging have enabled visualization of blood flow in humans during neurosurgery. In addition, new methods for three-dimensional visualization of microvasculature and neurons now enable longitudinal tracking of vascular morphology down to the single capillary level over several months in preclinical animal models.
 

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Dunn's research is focused on developing novel optical imaging techniques for imaging brain function. We seek to integrate innovative photonics and computational techniques and to apply them to research questions in areas such as stroke, migraine, functional mapping during neurosurgery, and Alzheimers disease. In addition we are developing imaging techniques that aid in furthering our understanding of basic neurophysiological mechanisms. One of the techniques we have developed is laser speckle contrast imaging of blood flow, which we have used to dynamically image the cerebral blood flow changes during stroke, migraine and normal brain activation. We collaborate closely with neuroscientists, neurologists and neurosurgeons in the application of these imaging techniques to various problems related to brain function.