Model-based cerebrovascular markers (DVR)

The DVR project studies how changes in the dynamic regulation of brain blood flow and cortical oxygenation (called together cerebral perfusion) relate to cognitive function and memory impairment. Researchers found that people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) show different dynamic responses to changes in blood carbon dioxide (CO2) compared to healthy people. This response is known as Dynamic Vasomotor Reactivity (DVR). Using advanced analysis of continuous tracking of cerebral blood flow and cortical oxygenation over time, the team developed a new measure called the Cerebrovascular Dynamics Index (CDI). The CDI has been shown to diagnose MCI and mild AD more accurately than brain scans or memory tests like MMSE and MoCA. It can also better distinguish between MCI and mild AD. These results suggest that the dysregulation of brain blood flow dynamics may play an important role in initiating the process of Alzheimer’s disease, along with the accumulation of amyloid-beta and p-tau proteins. While more research is needed to confirm these findings with larger cohorts, CDI offers a promising new way to diagnose and track the course of MCI and AD reliably, quickly, comfortably, and affordably.