Abstract #3776

Assessing the stability of neurovascular coupling: A combined fMRI/MEG approach

Marek Allen¹, Valentina Tomassini², Kevin Murphy¹, Suresh Muthukumaraswamy³, Krish D. Singh¹, and Richard G. Wise¹

¹Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom, ²2. Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom, ³Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is crucial to maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the brain. Using a graded contrast visual stimulus applied in magnetoencephalography (MEG) and functional MRI (fMRI), we assessed the stability of visual evoked fields (VEFs), gamma power and MRI blood flow responses. A power law was used to relate responses to stimulus contrast and describe the relationship between neuronal responses and blood flow. VEF amplitude was temporally unstable across time points. Gamma power and blood flow (ASL) responses remained stable, making gamma power-based NVC and ASL MRI measures a promising method for testing and exploring NVC in disease states.

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