Optical bedside biomarkers of brain function

3^rd International Conference on Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering

November 07-08, 2016 Barcelona, Spain

Ilias Tachtsidis

University College London, London, UK

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Bioengineer & Biomedical Sci

Abstract :

Perinatal hypoxic-ischaemic (HI) brain injury in the infant remains a significant problem throughout the world. Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is the clinical manifestation of the ensuing disordered neonatal brain function which can lead to serious consequences including death. The availability of markers of neuronal injury that correlate with disease severity and are predictive of neurodevelopmental disability in childhood would likely facilitate a more targeted therapeutic approach using adjunctive therapies. To meet the above clinical need, I have been developing optical technologies based on broadband near-infrared spectroscopy (or NIRS). Near-infrared (NIR) light (650-950 nm) can easily penetrate the skull and reach the brain. By measuring the light attenuation at different wavelengths, one can estimate the concentration of the oxygenated (HbO2) and the deoxygenated-haemoglobin (HHb). These two states of haemoglobin have different absorption spectra, which we can use for our spectroscopic measurements. Another strong NIR absorber is the terminal electron acceptor of the mitochondrial respiratory chain cytochrome-c-oxidase (CCO), which contains a unique Cu-Cu dimer (termed CuA). The NIR absorption spectrum of CCO depends on the redox state of CuA which in turns depends on the availability of oxygen in cells. For several years, I have been developing instrumentation and methodology that can non-invasively assess mitochondrial oxygenation through measurement of the changes in oxidation status of cytochromec- oxidase (oxCCO). In this talk, I will introduce the technology and emphasize several aspects in the instrumentation development. Finally, I will be discussing the deployment of the technology from the laboratory, to the preclinical environment and to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Biography :

Email: i.tachtsidis@ucl.ac.uk