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An MRI-compatible leg exercise device for assessing cerebral blood flow responses to exercise

Project Overview

Traditionally, transcranial Doppler ultrasound can be used to measure human cerebral blood flow in response to environmental stress or exercise. Exercise-induced cerebral blood flow can then be analyzed to determine if cerebral blood flow patterns differ in patients suffering from obesity or pre-diabetes. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound is limited in that it only measures middle cerebral arterial velocity. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be used to study global cerebral blood flow patterns and blood vessel diameter, but any exercise device used in an MRI must be non-ferromagnetic. We aspire to design and test a durable, non-ferrous exercise device that utilizes dynamic exercise and that is able to raise the average patient’s heart rate to values typically attained during exercise.

Team Picture

Team from left to right: Yue Hu, Jacob Stangl, Kelsi Bjorklund, Katherine Lake
Team from left to right: Yue Hu, Jacob Stangl, Kelsi Bjorklund, Katherine Lake

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Contact Information

Team Members

  • Katherine Lake - Team Leader
  • Yue Hu - Communicator
  • Jacob Stangl - BSAC
  • Kelsi Bjorklund - BWIG

Advisor and Client

  • Dr. Michael Toepke - Advisor
  • Dr. Bill Schrage - Client

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