Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
07:13
Cerebral Blood Flow-Based Resting State Functional Connectivity of the Human Brain using Optical Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy
Published on: May 27, 2020
Resting state functional connectivity in perfusion imaging: correlation maps with BOLD connectivity and resting state
Roberto Viviani1, Irene Messina, Martin Walter
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany. roberto.viviani@uni-ulm.de
Plos One
|November 11, 2011
Summary
This study reveals that both BOLD and cerebral blood flow (CBF) signals reveal brain functional connectivity. Positive connectivity is consistent across both signals, offering potential biomarkers for brain function and individual differences.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Brain Connectivity
- Physiology
Background:
- Resting-state functional connectivity is crucial for understanding brain function and individual differences.
- Traditionally, functional connectivity is assessed using Blood-Oxygen-Level-Dependent (BOLD) signals.
- Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) provides simultaneous BOLD and Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF) data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in functional connectivity estimated from BOLD and CBF signals.
- To explore the utility of ASL-derived CBF for functional connectivity analysis.
- To identify potential neuroimaging biomarkers for individual differences in brain function.
Main Methods:
- Acquired simultaneous BOLD and CBF data using ASL in 265 healthy individuals.
- Estimated functional connectivity as temporal correlations of spontaneous signal fluctuations.
- Analyzed connectivity across different frequency ranges, including novel low-frequency (<0.009 Hz) analysis for CBF.
Main Results:
- Positive functional connectivity was consistently observed in both BOLD and CBF signals.
- CBF signals revealed positive connectivity even at very low frequencies (<0.009 Hz), a novel finding.
- Individual differences in positive connectivity intensity were correlated between BOLD and CBF, validating the findings.
- Connectivity intensity showed minimal correlation with mean perfusion levels, indicating distinct biological underpinnings.
Conclusions:
- Both BOLD and CBF signals derived from ASL are valid measures of resting-state functional connectivity.
- CBF-based connectivity offers novel insights, particularly at low frequencies.
- BOLD and CBF connectivity reflect distinct sources of individual variation, suggesting complementary biomarker potential.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical imaging technique based on a phenomenon of nuclear physics discovered in the 1930s, in which matter exposed to magnetic fields and radio waves was found to emit radio signals. In 1970, a physician and researcher named Raymond Damadian noticed that malignant (cancerous) tissue gave off different signals than normal body tissue. He applied for a patent for the first MRI scanning device in clinical use by the early 1980s. The early MRI...
01:17Assessment of Diffusion and Perfusion
Understanding and evaluating diffusion and perfusion is critical in assessing a patient's respiratory and circulatory health. These processes play key roles in maintaining the body's internal environment, ensuring that tissues receive adequate oxygen while waste products are efficiently removed.
The Role of Diffusion in Respiration
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the respiratory system, this principle...
The Role of Diffusion in Respiration
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the respiratory system, this principle...