Calculation of intracranial and spinal compliance by imaging and modeling coupling. – CALCOCIMO

Cerebral vascular and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oscillations are at the origin of the intracranial pressure (ICP). The compliance of the craniospinal system dampens the systolic vascular expansion, which is vital for good brain perfusion. However, the measurement of this compliance is not accessible under physiological conditions and remains a lock to be removed. The objective of this project is to propose an innovative method of non-invasive measurement of these compliances by coupling Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with numerical simulation. To achieve this, we will improve our 2D finite element model. It will be based on MRI data: measurement of pulsed flows of neuro fluids and morphology of compartments. We will refine this model of fluid-structure interactions by comparison with measurements from a physical mirror model. It will be fed by a pulsatile pump, equipped with sensors and MRI compatible. The construction of these models will be based on our team's existing MRI database which offers these original and specific measurements. The digital model will then be compared to a rat model allowing to modify the compliance of the animal and to measure its ICP during MRI. These combined pressure and flow data do not exist today. They will be compared to the results of the simulations. The addition of an inverse problem algorithm will be added to the model for the identification of the brain compliance of a specific human subject. This project will deepen the knowledge in terms of fluid-structure modeling of complex systems. The proposed method will be applied retrospectively to the specific data of each patient in our populations. The first references of compliances calculated in a non-invasive way from MRI data will be obtained. The removal of this lock should help in the study of certain brain pathophysiologies that are still not understood.