Neurosalience #S5E6 with Vesa Kiviniemi - Pulsations Matter: Imaging Glymphatic System using MREG

Our guest today is Dr. Vesa Kiviniemi, a radiologist and researcher at Oulu University in Finland.

Dr. Kiviniemi’s recent focus has been on using an extremely high-speed MRI technique called MREG. This technique allows for the collection of an entire volume of data with a TR of just 100 milliseconds, using a stack-of-spirals approach. The reason he values this technique so much is that it enables him to examine various types of brain pulsations, including cardiac and respiratory pulsations, as well as what he refers to as glymphatic or CSF pulsations.

In this episode, Dr. Kiviniemi explores how he has applied this technique in his research. He also discusses the history of our understanding of the glymphatic system, its potential functions, the many unknowns surrounding it, and the opportunities it presents for future research. Among other topics, he explains why using this high-speed technique might complement—or in some cases even be better than—slower approaches in certain ways.

We hope you enjoy the conversation!

Episode producers:

Xuqian Michelle Li

Omer Faruk Gulban