Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 29, 2025
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Quantification of Pulmonary Perfusion using Calibrated Arterial Spin Labeling
Published on: May 30, 2011
Early perfusion changes in multiple sclerosis patients as assessed by MRI using arterial spin labeling
Mar Jiménez de la Peña1, Ignacio Casanova Peña2, Pablo García-Polo García3
1Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario Quironsalud, Madrid, Spain.
Background:
Gadolinium-perfusion magnetic resonance (MR) identifies gray matter abnormalities in early multiple sclerosis (MS), even in the absence of structural differences. These perfusion changes could be related to the cognitive disability of these patients, especially in the working memory. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a relatively recent perfusion technique that does not require intravenous contrast, making the technique especially attractive for clinical research.
Purpose:
To verify the perfusion alterations in early MS, even in the absence of cerebral volume changes. To introduce the ASL sequence as a suitable non-invasive method in the monitoring of these patients.
Material And Methods:
Nineteen healthy controls and 28 patients were included. The neuropsychological test EDSS and SDMT were evaluated. Cerebral blood flow and bolus arrival time were collected from the ASL study. Cerebral volume and cortical thickness were obtained from the volumetric T1 sequence. Spearman's correlation analyzed the correlation between EDSS and SDMT tests and perfusion data. Differences were considered significant at a level of P < 0.05.
Results:
Reduction of the cerebral blood flow and an increase in the bolus arrival time were found in patients compared to controls. A negative correlation between EDSS and thalamus transit time, and between EDSS and cerebral blood flow in the frontal cortex, was found.
Conclusion:
ASL perfusion might detect changes in MS patients even in absent structural volumetric changes. More longitudinal studies are needed, but perfusion parameters could be biomarkers for monitoring these patients.
Insights
Arterial spin labeling (ASL) detects early multiple sclerosis (MS) brain perfusion changes, even without structural differences. This non-invasive technique shows potential as a biomarker for monitoring MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Gadolinium-perfusion MRI reveals gray matter abnormalities in early multiple sclerosis (MS), preceding structural changes.
- These perfusion alterations may correlate with cognitive deficits, particularly in working memory.
- Arterial spin labeling (ASL) offers a non-invasive alternative for perfusion assessment, avoiding intravenous contrast agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate perfusion changes in early MS patients, independent of cerebral volume alterations.
- To evaluate the suitability of ASL as a non-invasive monitoring tool for MS.
Main Methods:
- ASL MRI was used to measure cerebral blood flow and bolus arrival time in 28 MS patients and 19 healthy controls.
- Neuropsychological tests (EDSS, SDMT) and volumetric MRI assessed clinical status and brain structure.
- Spearman's correlation analysis examined relationships between clinical scores and perfusion parameters.
Main Results:
- MS patients exhibited reduced cerebral blood flow and prolonged bolus arrival time compared to controls.
- A negative correlation was observed between EDSS scores and thalamus transit time.
- EDSS scores also correlated negatively with cerebral blood flow in the frontal cortex.
Conclusions:
- ASL perfusion imaging can detect early changes in MS, even without evident structural volumetric differences.
- Perfusion parameters show promise as potential biomarkers for monitoring disease progression in MS patients.
- Further longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm the utility of ASL in MS management.
