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Published on: April 23, 2021
Reduced Cerebral Blood Flow in Mild Cognitive Impairment Assessed Using Phase-Contrast MRI
Reyes García de Eulate1, Irene Goñi1,2, Alvaro Galiano1
1Department of Radiology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
Abstract:
There is increasing evidence of a vascular contribution to Alzheimer's disease (AD). In some cases, prior work suggests that chronic brain hypoperfusion could play a prime pathogenic role contributing to the accumulation of amyloid-β,while other studies favor the hypothesis that vascular dysfunction and amyloid pathology are independent, although synergistic, mechanisms contributing to cognitive impairment. Vascular dysfunction can be evaluated by assessing cerebral blood flow impairment. Phase contrast velocity mapping by MRI offers a non-invasive means of quantifying the total inflow of blood to the brain. This quantitative parameter could be a sensitive indicator of vascular disease at early stages of AD. In this work, phase contrast MRI was used to evaluate cerebral hemodynamics in patients with subjective memory complaints, amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and mild to moderate AD, and compare them with control subjects. Results showed that blood flow and velocity were decreased in the patients with cognitive dysfunction and the decrease correlated with the degree of cognitive impairment as assessed by means of neuropsychological tests. Total cerebral blood flow measurements were clearly reduced in AD patients, but more importantly appeared to be sensitive enough to distinguish between healthy subjects and those with mild cognitive impairment. A quantitative measurement of total brain blood flow could potentially predict vascular dysfunction and compromised brain perfusion in early stages of AD.
Insights
Reduced brain blood flow, measured non-invasively with MRI, is linked to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment. This finding highlights potential early detection of vascular dysfunction in AD.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Biology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Growing evidence suggests a vascular role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis.
- Vascular dysfunction and amyloid pathology may independently or synergistically contribute to cognitive impairment.
- Cerebral blood flow impairment is a key indicator of vascular dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cerebral hemodynamics in individuals with cognitive decline using phase contrast MRI.
- To assess the correlation between cerebral blood flow and cognitive impairment severity.
- To determine if quantitative brain blood flow measurements can distinguish between healthy and impaired cognitive states.
Main Methods:
- Utilized phase contrast MRI with velocity mapping to quantify total cerebral blood inflow.
- Assessed patients with subjective memory complaints, amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and mild to moderate AD.
- Compared hemodynamic data with healthy control subjects.
Main Results:
- Cerebral blood flow and velocity were significantly decreased in patients with cognitive dysfunction.
- The reduction in blood flow correlated with the degree of cognitive impairment.
- Quantitative total cerebral blood flow measurements effectively differentiated between healthy subjects and those with mild cognitive impairment.
Conclusions:
- Reduced total cerebral blood flow is a quantifiable marker in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.
- Non-invasive MRI assessment of cerebral hemodynamics shows potential for early detection of vascular dysfunction in AD.
- Cerebral blood flow measurement may serve as a predictive biomarker for compromised brain perfusion in early-stage AD.
