Project Leaders :    Dr. L. Dean Chapman and Sheldon Wiebe, MD

Research Group :    Drs. Paterson, Nichol, Guzman and Kelly

Research Sites :    University of Saskatchewan, and CLS and SSRL synchrotrons

Specific Aims :   

• Develop and implement on the BioMedical Imaging and Therapy beamline, various novel imaging tools including:

o    Diffraction Enhanced Imaging CT (DEI)

o    Phase Contrast CT

o    K-edge subtraction CT

o    Gene expression mapping using synchrotron light

• To visualize neovascularization surrounding stroke lesions. Our long term goal is to develop the next generation of clinical imaging technology.

Project Leaders :    Dr. Fred Colbourne and Dr. Phyllis Paterson

Research Group :    Drs. Chapman, George, Haacke, Nichol, and Pickering

Research Sites :    University of Alberta, University of Saskatchewan, and CLS and SSRL synchrotrons

Specific Aims :   

• To map the temporal and spatial pattern of brain iron (Fe) and sulfur (S) following intracerebral hemorrhage, focal ischemia, and global ischemia to give a global view of elemental redistribution following stroke. 

•To evaluate the effects of neuroprotective treatments on the temporal and spatial pattern of Fe and S distribution in vulnerable brain regions following global ischemia with the long term goal being to understand how iron and sulfur dysregulation contribute to damage from ischemia.

• To investigate whether pre-existing protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) exacerbates brain injury following global ischemia.

Project Leaders :    Dr. Helen Nichol and Dr. E. Mark Haacke

Research Group :    Drs. George, Paterson, and Pickering

Research Sites :    MRI Institute for Biomedical Research (MRII), Wayne State University, University of Saskatchewan, and CLS

Specific Aims :   

•     Apply the novel parallel-SWI /RS-XRF imaging approach to visualize and chemically speciate iron associated with focal stroke, vascular damage and microbleeds in cadaveric brains (cause of death = stroke).  Our long term goal is to understand of the forms of iron visualized by SWI in a variety of clinical situations.

•     Use X-ray absorption spectroscopy to determine which chemical forms of iron are associated with vascular damage and microbleeds, to improve the ability of SWI to detect microbleeds in patients. Using the spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone (SHRSP) rat model we will use synchrotron RS-XRF and in situ micro-near edge spectroscopy to quantitate iron deposits associated with microbleeds and speciate the forms of iron found.

Project Leaders :    Michael Kelly M.D. PhD., Raphael Guzman, MD

Research Group :    Drs. Chapman, George, Nichol, Pickering, and Wiebe

Research Sites :    University of Saskatchewan, University of Basel, Switzerland, CLS and SSRL

Specific Aims :   

• Compare the sensitivity and spatial resolution of MRI and rapid scanning X-ray fluorescence (RSXRF) in tracking the targeted migration of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labeled neural stem cells in rat models of stroke.

• Follow the post-stroke migration and fate of neural stem cells over the lifespan of a mouse and verify the effect of the transplant on behavioural outcomes.

• Apply in vivo imaging tools to analyze the mechanisms by which neural stem cells transplanted into the stroked brain find their target and promote functional recovery. Our long term goals is to understand the role of angiogenesis and endogenous neurogenesis on functional recovery.