Dynamic Photoacoustic Imaging Of Neurovascular Coupling In Salivary Glands

Publication date: Available online 3 September 2019Source: Journal of Oral BiosciencesAuthor(s): Laurie J. Rich, Eftekhar Rajab Bolookat, Mukund SeshadriAbstractThe purpose of this study was to apply photoacoustic imaging (PAI), a relatively new imaging method, to non-invasively map neurovascular dynamics in salivary glands. Dynamic PAI with co-registered ultrasound (US) was performed in mice to monitor salivary gland hemodynamics in response to exogenous muscarinic receptor stimulation (pilocarpine) and blockade (atropine). Pilocarpine increased salivary gland oxygen saturation (%sO2) within minutes after administration, which was abrogated by atropine. A significant correlation was observed between change in %sO2 measured by PAI and saliva secretion. PAI is a novel imaging method that can be used for functional assessment of neurovascular dynamics in salivary glands.
Source: Journal of Oral Biosciences - Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research