Characterizing cerebrospinal fluid mobility using heavily T2-weighted 3D fast spin echo (FSE) imaging with improved...

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Fluid dynamics
• Neurology

Background:

• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow patterns are linked to glymphatic system (GS) function.
• Assessing CSF mobility noninvasively is crucial for neurological health evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an improved multi-directional diffusion-sensitized driven-equilibrium (iMDDSDE) heavily T2-weighted 3D FSE (iMDDSDE-HT2) MRI method.
• To noninvasively assess CSF mobility (MO) in the brain's ventricles and perivascular spaces (PVS).

Main Methods:

• Utilized iMDDSDE-HT2 MRI for high-resolution (1 mm isotropic) 3D imaging of CSF MO.
• Achieved full brain coverage within five minutes.
• Distinguished CSF MO across pulse phases using a peripheral pulse unit (PPU).

Main Results:

• Identified highest MO amplitude in middle cerebral artery PVS and highest growth rate in posterior cerebral artery.
• Observed lower MO in older adults compared to younger participants.
• Found reduced MO in patients with cerebral major artery stenosis and acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Conclusions:

• The iMDDSDE-HT2 sequence is a clinically feasible method for evaluating human brain CSF flow patterns.
• CSF mobility is reduced in aging and in patients with cerebrovascular disease.
• This technique offers insights into glymphatic system function and its alterations.