Abstract #0547

Quantitative Analysis of the Post-Contractile BOLD Effect in Human Skeletal Muscle

Theodore F. Towse¹, Jill M. Slade^2,3, Jeffrey A. Ambrose¹, Mark C. DeLano², Ronald A. Meyer^1,2

¹Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; ²Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; ³Manipulative Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

Brief single contractions of muscle are followed by increases in blood flow and oxygenation, resulting in a post-contractile BOLD response. This study shows that the magnitude and time course of muscle post-contractile BOLD responses are quantitatively explained from changes in muscle blood volume and hemoglobin saturation measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Furthermore, using a simple one-compartment vascular model the NIRS and MRI changes can be accurately predicted from changes in muscle blood flow and oxygen consumption.