Episode 176: Blood and the Brain
Prof. Tim Secomb is researching blood flow and brain circuitry. He wants to know more about how the brain reacts when it is denied oxygen. For example, during a stroke, blood flow – and thus oxygen – to the brain is suddenly stopped, and some brain cells die. One basic part of this equation is physiological, but Prof. Secomb is developing a mathematical model that can reveal the relationship between neural activity in the brain and corresponding changes in blood oxygen level. Tim Secomb spoke with Leslie Tolbert, PhD., Regents Professor Emerita in Neuroscience at the University of Arizona.