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Published on: February 15, 2014
Mapping brain function using a 30-day interval between baseline and activation: a novel arterial spin labeling fMRI
Ajna Borogovac1, Christian Habeck, Scott A Small
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
Summary
Arterial spin labeling functional MRI (ASL-fMRI) can detect long-term brain function changes. New methods improve sensitivity and accuracy for mapping cerebral blood flow density (CBFd) over 30 days.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Physiology
Background:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) maps acute brain activity.
- Its ability to track functional changes over longer periods is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the feasibility of ASL-fMRI for detecting cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes over a 1-month period.
- To enhance ASL-fMRI sensitivity and accuracy for longitudinal brain function mapping.
Main Methods:
- Applied an algorithm to yield flow density (CBFd) images, independent of tissue content.
- Developed a technique for independent arterial transit time (ATT) calculation.
- Compared ASL-fMRI measurements acquired 1 month apart in healthy subjects.
Main Results:
- Activation changes in CBFd were consistent whether measured within the same session or across 30 days.
- Activation CBFd was significantly higher than baseline values after 30 days (motor: 34%, visual: 25%).
- CBFd measurements showed higher signal-to-noise ratios compared to conventional CBF.
Conclusions:
- CBFd measured by ASL-fMRI is a sensitive and accurate method for mapping long-term changes in brain function.
- CBFd may be superior to net CBF for longitudinal neuroimaging studies.
