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Brain-Body-Interaction (BBI)

The bidirectional interaction between the brain and organs of the body is an emerging field of research.

An efficient, fine-tuned interplay between the two via neuronal, vascular and humoral mechanisms is essential to maintain bodily functions and homeostasis. A disturbance of brain-body interactions is a major contributor to many diseases affecting the brain, heart, liver, and metabolism. The mission of this group is to unravel such interactions and to delineate how they reciprocally determine the structure and function of the brain, the body and its organs in both health and disease. Applying cutting-edge MRI methods, in combination with other approaches, the BBI group will measure and map physiological functions to cast light on previously overlooked areas.

Figure

 Figure: Schematic representation of the research targets of the group. Clipart from Wikimedia Commons.

 

As an example, the group is undertaking a study in diabetic neuropathy, a condition which affects not only sensory and motor neurons, but also the autonomic nerve fibers, often with severe consequences for the patient. One central question we wish to address is how diabetic neuropathy compromises regional autoregulation of cerebral blood flow and hereby brain function and structure. Other research areas include changes in regulation of the functioning of the heart, liver, gut and skeletal muscles , including cardiovascular changes triggered by liver cirrhosis and chronic heart failure.
 

Selected Publications

Siebner TH, Fugl Madelung C, Bendtsen F, Løkkegaard A, Hove JD, Siebner HR. 2021. Postprandial Increase in Mesenteric Blood Flow is Attenuated in Parkinson's Disease: A Dynamic PC-MRI Study. Journal of Parkinson's Disease. 11(2):545-557. https://doi.org/10.3233/JPD-202341

Wiese S, Hove JD, Mo S, et al. Cardiac dysfunction in cirrhosis: a 2-yr longitudinal follow-up study using advanced cardiac imaging. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2019;317(3):G253‐G263.

Wiese S, Hove JD, Møller S. Cardiac imaging in patients with chronic liver disease. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2017;37(4):347‐356.

"Barloese MCJ, Bauer C, Petersen ET, Hansen CS, Madsbad S, Siebner HR. Neurovascular Coupling in Type 2 Diabetes With Cognitive Decline. A Narrative Review of Neuroimaging Findings and Their Pathophysiological Implications. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022;13:874007. doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.874007

Siebner TH, Fugl Madelung C, Bendtsen F, Løkkegaard A, Hove JD, Siebner HR. 2021. Postprandial Increase in Mesenteric Blood Flow is Attenuated in Parkinson's Disease: A Dynamic PC-MRI Study. Journal of Parkinson's Disease. 11(2):545-557. https://doi.org/10.3233/JPD-202341

Group Members

Mads Barløse

Group Leader

Hartwig R. Siebner

Joakim Ölmestig

External Collaborators

 

MD, DMSc, Professor Flemming Bendtsen

The Gastro Unit, Hvidovre Hospital


MD, Ph.D. Christian Stevns Hansen

Steno Diabetes Center


MD, Ph.D., MSc, Associate Prof. Jens Hove

Department of Cardiology, Hvidovre Hospital


MD, DMSc, Professor Michael Kjaer

Bispebjerg Hospital, Institute of Sports Medicine