Browsing by Author "Burma, Joel Stephen"

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    A real-time assessment of the relationship between neuronal activation and hemodynamic changes in humans
    (2024-08-29) Burma, Joel Stephen; Smirl, Jonathan; Dunn, Jeffrey; Schneider, Kathryn; Debert, Chantel
    This dissertation aimed to develop and employ a novel multimodal neuroimaging approach utilizing electroencephalography (EEG), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD), finger photoplethysmography, electrocardiography, and capnography to study neurological, cerebrovascular, and cardiorespiratory responses during motor and visual tasks. The dissertation adopted a step-by-step approach for method development. Initially, a thorough systematic review of previous multimodal neuroimaging studies investigating neurovascular coupling/functional hyperemia was conducted to identify common limitations and equipment combinations (Chapter 2). This review informed the development of a novel concurrent integration of EEG-fNIRS-TCD neuromonitoring techniques with systemic physiological monitoring, detailed in Chapter 3. Following this, a pilot study involving 15 participants was conducted to assess the data quality from the three imaging modalities during resting motor (finger tapping) and visual (“Where’s Waldo/Wally?”) tasks (Chapter 4). These tasks were then performed during transient blood pressure oscillations induced by squat-stand maneuvers at 0.05 and 0.10 Hz to challenge the cerebrovasculature (Chapter 5), demonstrating that the neurovascular coupling task remained stable despite significant blood pressure fluctuations. Overall, the findings from this dissertation underscore the robustness of the EEG-fNIRS-TCD approach in capturing neuronal and cerebral hemodynamic responses across various tasks and hemodynamic challenges, providing better insight into cerebrovascular regulation.
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    The Effect of High-Intensity Exertion on Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 Subcomponents
    (2020-09-12) Burma, Joel Stephen; Schneider, Kathryn J.; Dunn, Jeff F.; Debert, Chantel Teresa; Phillips, Aaron
    Introduction: The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 (SCAT5) is a commonly used assessment tool following a suspected sport-related concussion. However, little is known how SCAT5 subcomponent scores change following high-intensity exertion. Methods: Participants were recruited from the varsity womens rugby and mens and womens wrestling teams at the University of Calgary. The SCAT5 was administered prior to and following the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness test, where the primary outcome measures included: total symptom scores and severity, standardized assessment of concussion, neurological screening, and balance error during the modified balance error scoring system, as measured with the SCAT5. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were utilized to evaluate differences in ordinal data between pre- and post-exertion. Bonferroni corrections were performed to account for multiple comparisons (0.05/9, p<0.006). Results: Thirty-seven varsity athletes (median age: 19 years, range: 17-23, 28 female) consented to participate in this investigation. The SCAT5 was administered by trained health care professionals a median of 20 minutes (range: 1–47 minutes) following exertion. No differences were found before and after the exertion test for Post-Concussion Symptom Score total number of symptoms (z=1.05, p=0.29), standardized assessment of concussion (z=-1.98, p=0.048), neurological screen (z=0.58, p=0.56), and modified Balance Error System Score (z=0.37, p=0.71). Conclusions: SCAT5 subcomponent scores were not significantly altered following high-intensity exertion in collision and combative varsity athletes. In agreement with previous literature, a 20 minute recovery period appears to be an acceptable timeframe for SCAT5 subcomponent scores to return to resting/baseline levels.