# Effects of standard fMRI calibrations on the diverse microvascular blood flow and oxygenation responses in cortical layers

> **NIH NIH K99** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2021 · $81,259

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract: This proposed project focus on quantifying the spatial and temporal diversity in
cortical oxygen metabolism and neurovascular coupling, and informing next generation of biophysical models
of the Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) measurements
by integrating new technological and conceptual approaches. Broad and long term objectives of this
application are (1) to bridge understanding of brain in action at multiple scales in spatial (subcapillary to whole-
brain) and temporal (µs to months) domains, (2) to contribute discovering diversity of hemodynamic responses
across cortical tissue layers, functional areas, and microvascular branches, and (3) to support the modelling
efforts of BOLD signal by to quantifying hemodynamic responses in cortex of healthy-aging awake mice.
Realizing these objectives would contribute to the joined efforts towards improving human health through
accomplishing BRAIN Initiative goals of understanding the brain in action, discovering diversity,
mapping/linking activity across spatial and temporal scales, and understanding the biophysical basis of fMRI
signal. The specific aims of the proposed project can be summarized as: (1) to develop faster, deeper,
longitudinal measurements of the cerebral blood flow (CBF), partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), and cerebral
metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2), (2) to quantify the diversity of CMRO2 and CBF responses to functional
activation across different cortical functional areas, cortical layers, and microvasculature types in healthy-aging
mouse, and (3) to quantify the effects of standard fMRI calibrations (e.g. hypercapnia, hyperoxia, and caffeine)
on the CMRO2 and CBF at rest and during functional activation. The research design and methods that will be
used in this project will include (1) developing faster and deeper chronic imaging of absolute oxygen
concentration to assess relation between cortical pO2, CMRO2, and blood flow changes during brain activation
across the cortical areas and layers, and (2) realistic measurements of the oxygenation, blood flow, and
metabolism responses to functional activation at the microvascular scales in healthy-aging mice and in
response to calibration procedures that are commonly used in BOLD fMRI imaging. The research environment
of Dr. Sencan (the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital
and Radiology Department in Harvard Medical School) is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies required
to execute the proposed project and is rich with opportunities for training in neuroscience, career development,
and interdisciplinary collaborations. She has a team of mentors, collaborators and advisors with diverse and
strong expertise, who are committed to support Dr. Sencan’s research, and her career development. All these
factors will facilitate the successful execution of the proposed project, the completion of Dr. Sencan’s training in
...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10394531
- **Project number:** 3K99MH120053-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Ikbal Sencan-Egilmez
- **Activity code:** K99 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $81,259
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-04-19 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10394531

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10394531, Effects of standard fMRI calibrations on the diverse microvascular blood flow and oxygenation responses in cortical layers (3K99MH120053-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10394531. Licensed CC0.

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