Experience in implementing continuous arterial spin labeling on a commercial MR scanner.

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Neuroimaging
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background:

• Continuous arterial spin labeling (CASL) is a non-invasive MRI technique for quantitative perfusion assessment.
• Clinical adoption of CASL is hindered by low sensitivity, artifacts, and implementation complexities on commercial scanners.
• CASL necessitates lengthy radiofrequency pulses and extensive image acquisition, posing practical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the implementation of CASL on a commercial MRI scanner for cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurement.
• To identify and address practical challenges encountered during CASL implementation, including hardware and radiofrequency energy deposition.
• To present results from studies optimizing CASL acquisition procedures for human subjects.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of CASL on a commercial MRI scanner.
• Evaluation of hardware, radiofrequency energy deposition, and practical application in human subjects.
• Systematic studies to determine optimal CASL acquisition parameters for CBF measurement.

Main Results:

• Successful implementation of CASL on a commercial MRI platform for CBF quantification.
• Identification of critical pitfalls related to hardware, radiofrequency energy deposition, and subject handling.
• Determination of optimal acquisition protocols through experimental studies.

Conclusions:

• CASL can be successfully implemented on commercial MRI scanners for CBF measurement.
• Addressing implementation challenges is crucial for expanding the clinical utility of CASL.
• Optimized acquisition protocols enhance the feasibility and reliability of CASL in clinical settings.