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Choroidal blood flow decreases with age: an MRI study
Oscar San Emeterio Nateras1, Joseph M Harrison, Eric R Muir
1Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center , San Antonio, TX , USA .
Current Eye Research
|March 25, 2014
Summary
A new visual fixation protocol using cued eye blinks ensures stable MRI measurements. Choroidal blood flow (ChBF) significantly declines with age, independent of blood pressure or intraocular pressure.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Imaging
- Physiology
Background:
- Accurate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) blood-flow measurements require stable visual fixation.
- Understanding age-related changes in choroidal blood flow (ChBF) is crucial for ocular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate a novel visual fixation protocol with cued eye blinks for MRI blood-flow quantification.
- To investigate the relationship between aging and ChBF in healthy adults.
Main Methods:
- Assessed visual fixation stability using an eye-tracking camera during MRI scanning.
- Measured ChBF using 3 Tesla MRI in 17 healthy subjects (24-68 years old).
- Recorded arterial pressure, intraocular pressure (IOP), and calculated perfusion pressure.
Main Results:
- The visual fixation protocol demonstrated sufficient stability for MRI measurements.
- ChBF showed a significant negative correlation with age (R = -0.7, p = 0.003), decreasing by 2.7 ml/100 ml/min per year.
- No significant correlations were found between ChBF and perfusion pressure, arterial pressure, or IOP.
Conclusions:
- The cued eye blink visual fixation protocol is effective for stable MRI blood-flow measurements.
- Choroidal blood flow significantly decreases with advancing age in humans.
