BANFA: Biomechanically adjusted neurovascular function assessment

A fifth of all the energy used in the body is used by the brain. The biological systems involved in supplying brain with blood are constantly working to ensure optimal brain blood pressure in the face of many daily challenges including exercise, sleep, digestion and environmental changes. Impairment of our protection systems for brain blood flow can lead to loss of consciousness in the short term and changes in brain function over longer periods. Medical professionals are therefore interested in measuring our ability to maintain brain blood flow over the wide range of daily activities. Measurement of brain blood flow during simple movements such as standing from a seated or lying position can give an indication of how quickly an individual can adjust their brain blood flow to optimal levels. However, these tests do not often account for how quickly a person performs the activity. This may mean that two individuals may be evaluated as equal (in their ability to rebound after a challenge) despite the exertion being different (e.g., one person took 2 seconds to stand up while the other took 10 seconds). The aim of this project is to use data from a device that measures movement (i.e., an accelerometer) to develop a standardised method for evaluating patient heart and brain response to challenge. These methods may be used in multiple applications including to assess the risk of falls in the older adult population and measuring cardiovascular response to exercise.