Pilot Study Investigating How Different Breathing Machine Volumes Affect Brain Activity During MRI in Adults

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are exploring the connection between lung ventilation and brain activity, focusing on how the volume of air delivered by breathing machines may affect the brain. Animal studies suggest that higher volumes of air given through ventilators can increase brain activity but also cause brain cell injury. This study aims to understand this relationship in humans, especially in very sick patients who need breathing machines to maintain oxygen levels but may risk cognitive problems due to brain injury. The study involves mechanically ventilated patients undergoing MRI scans under general anesthesia with stable carbon dioxide and oxygen levels. Brain activity will be measured using MRI blood-oxygenation signals while applying two different tidal volumes 6 mlkg and 12 mlkg, each for 3 to 5 minutes. Positive end-expiratory pressure will be adjusted to keep lung pressure below 30 cm H2O. Two groups will receive the tidal volumes in opposite sequences to compare effects. Participants will have their routine MRI brain scan followed by an additional 10 minutes of study-specific ventilation at the two tidal volumes during MRI. Researchers will measure changes in brain activity in specific regions of interest and analyze correlations with tidal volume changes. This study will help understand ventilation-associated brain injury mechanisms by monitoring brain signals during controlled breathing support.

Study to Investigate an Association Between Brain Activity and Tidal Volume in Humans (BATMAN)