Purpose: Brain perfusion imaging is of enormous importance for various neurological diseases. Fast gradient-echo sequences offering flow-related enhancement (FREE) could present a basis to generate perfusion-weighted maps. In this study, we obtained perfusion-weighted maps without contrast media by a previously described postprocessing algorithm from the field of functional lung MRI. At first, the perfusion signal was analyzed in fast low-angle shot (FLASH) and balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) sequences. Secondly, perfusion maps were compared to pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) MRI in a healthy cohort. Thirdly, the feasibility of the new technique was demonstrated in a small selected group of patients with metastases and acute stroke.
Methods: One participant was examined with bSSFP and FLASH sequences at 1.5T and 3T, different flip angles and slice thicknesses. Twenty-five volunteers had bSSFP imaging and pCASL MRI. Three patients with cerebral metastases and one with acute ischemic stroke had bSSFP imaging and were compared to T1 post-contrast images and CT perfusion. Frequency analyses, SNR and perfusion contrast were compared at different flip angles and slice thicknesses. Regional correlations and Sorensen-Dice overlap were calculated in the healthy cohort. Dice overlap of the pathologies in the patient cohort were calculated.
Results: The bSSFP sequence presented detectable perfusion signal within brain vessel and parenchyma together with superior SNR compared to FLASH. Perfusion contrast and its corticomedullary differentiation increased with flip angle. Mean regional correlation was 0.36 and highly significant between FREE maps and pCASL and grey and white matter Dice match were 72% and 60% in the healthy cohort. Pathologies presented good overlap between FREE perfusion-weighted and T1 post-contrast images.
Conclusion: The feasibility of FREE brain perfusion imaging has been shown in a healthy cohort and selected patient cases with brain metastases and acute stroke. The study demonstrates a new approach for non-contrast brain perfusion imaging.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9671356 | PMC |
| http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0276912 | PLOS |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Acute effect of a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern (MDP) on mood, anxiety and cognition in UK adults with mild to moderate anxiety and depression: the MediMood randomised controlled trial protocol.
BMJ Open
December 2024
Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
Introduction: Psychological disorders including depression and anxiety are significant public health concerns. A Mediterranean-style dietary pattern (MDP) has been associated with improved mental well-being in observational studies. Evidence of the acute (defined as postprandial to 1 week) effects of an MDP on brain function, mood, cognition and important modulators, including sleep and the gut microbiota is limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHeart-brain microvascular MRI study: protocol for a multicentre, observational, cohort study in the UK assessing associations between small vessel disease of the heart and brain.
BMJ Open
December 2024
British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
Introduction: Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular disease are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a leading cause of dementia and stroke. While coronary small vessel disease (coronary microvascular dysfunction) causes microvascular angina and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVenous compression causes chronic cerebral ischaemia in normal pressure hydrocephalus patients.
Fluids Barriers CNS
January 2025
Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan.
Background: Cerebral autoregulation is a robust regulatory mechanism that stabilizes cerebral blood flow in response to reduced blood pressure, thereby preventing cerebral ischaemia. Scientists have long believed that cerebral autoregulation also stabilizes cerebral blood flow against increases in intracranial pressure, which is another component that determines cerebral perfusion pressure. However, this idea was inconsistent with the complex pathogenesis of normal pressure hydrocephalus, which includes components of chronic cerebral ischaemia due to mild increases in intracranial pressure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBrain Perfusion Imaging and Cardiac Thrombus Detection: Two Birds, One Stone?
Neurology
February 2025
Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY; and.
Arterial Input Function Dispersal on Acute Brain CT Perfusion Scan in Patients With Acute Stroke and an Intracardiac Thrombus.
Neurology
February 2025
Department of Neurology, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, Australia.
Article Synopsis
- Hyperacute cardiac CT is more effective than transthoracic echocardiography in detecting intracardiac thrombus, but its routine use is limited due to costs and risks.
- A study of 1,136 ischemic stroke or TIA patients found that longer arterial input function (AIF) dispersal times correlate with the presence of thrombus and worse outcomes, with a specific cutoff of 33 seconds indicating higher risk.
- The findings support using AIF dispersal measurements to help identify patients who may benefit from cardiac imaging, potentially optimizing resource use in stroke management.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!