T. Hans Newton Lecture: The Brain Stress Test

Dr. Mikulis is a full Professor and Director of the JDMI Functional Neuroimaging Lab at the UHN and the University of Toronto. His primary emphasis is translational research focusing on the application of novel imaging into the clinical environment. He established one of the first Canadian fMRI labs in 1993 and is currently involved in developing advanced imaging methods including 1) quantitative measurement and clinical application of cerebrovascular reactivity leading to the development of “the Brain Stress Test” that maps the effectiveness of the cerebral vasculature in meeting the metabolic needs of the brain, 2) high-resolution imaging of the blood vessel walls for improving the diagnostic accuracy for assessing vasculopathies, and 3) developing a “needle-free” method for mapping brain blood flow. Research in these areas has improved assessment of the structure, function, and performance of the vascular system in health and disease. These capabilities have further defined the important roles that abnormal vascular performance measures have in the pathophysiology of a number of conditions including Alzheimer’s and vascular dementias, and in improving diagnostic accuracy of acute concussion. Translation of these methods has been achieved locally, nationally, and internationally confirming the importance of these tools in research and clinical settings.