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Published on: December 28, 2013
Regional correlation between resting state FDG PET and pCASL perfusion MRI
Yoon-Hee K Cha1, Mayank A Jog, Yoon-Chung Kim
11] Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA [2] Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.
Summary
Arterial spin labeling (ASL) and (18)F-FDG PET show good overall correlation for measuring brain perfusion and metabolism. However, significant regional variability exists, impacting their use as surrogate markers for neural activity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Physiology
Background:
- Cerebral perfusion and metabolism are key indicators of neural activity.
- Arterial spin labeling (ASL) and positron emission tomography (PET) are neuroimaging techniques used to measure these parameters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare resting-state cerebral perfusion measured by pseudo-continuous ASL with cerebral glucose metabolism measured by (18)F-FDG PET in healthy volunteers.
- To assess the relationship and regional variability between ASL-derived perfusion and (18)F-FDG PET-derived metabolism.
Main Methods:
- 20 healthy volunteers underwent resting-state pseudo-continuous ASL and (18)F-FDG PET scans.
- Region of interest analysis was performed on gray matter to compare perfusion and metabolism.
- Cross-voxel and cross-subject correlations were calculated between ASL and PET data.
Main Results:
- Greater regional metabolism relative to perfusion was observed in the putamen, orbitofrontal, and temporal lobes.
- Perfusion was relatively higher in the hippocampus and insula.
- Overall mean correlation between perfusion and metabolism across voxels was r=0.43, with significant regional variability. Highest correlations were found in the striatum, while medial temporal structures showed the lowest.
- Cross-subject correlations were highest in the striatum, temporal lobe, and frontal lobe, but poor in other structures like the hippocampus and amygdala.
Conclusions:
- While ASL and (18)F-FDG PET show a good overall correlation, substantial regional differences exist in the relationship between perfusion and metabolism.
- This regional variability must be considered when interpreting ASL or (18)F-FDG PET data as surrogate markers for neural activity.
