Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

MRI Mapping of Cerebrovascular Reactivity via Gas Inhalation Challenges
09:33

MRI Mapping of Cerebrovascular Reactivity via Gas Inhalation Challenges

Published on: December 17, 2014

14.0K

CO2 cerebrovascular reactivity measured with CBF-MRI in older individuals: Association with cognition, physical

Sandeepa Sur1, Zixuan Lin1,2, Yang Li1

  • 1Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism : Official Journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism
|March 15, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) measured by MRI is lower in individuals with cognitive impairment. Higher CVR is linked to better cognitive and physical function, independent of Alzheimer's disease markers.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Vascular Neurology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

  • Vascular pathology significantly contributes to cognitive impairment and mixed dementia.
  • Current biomarkers for vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) require further development.
  • Cerebrovascular Reactivity (CVR) is a critical indicator of brain blood flow regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of CO2 Cerebrovascular Reactivity (CVR) using phase-contrast quantitative flow MRI in cognitive impairment and dementia.
  • To assess the association between CBF-CVR and cognitive performance, physical function, and disease severity.
  • To determine if CBF-CVR associations are independent of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathological markers.

Main Methods:

  • Phase-contrast quantitative flow MRI was used to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF)-CVR in 45 impaired participants and 22 healthy controls (HC).
  • Participants underwent cognitive assessments (MoCA, composite scores, language tests) and physical function tests (gait speed, chair stands).
  • Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for AD pathology (Aβ42/40, tau, Aβ42/p-tau181) and hemoglobin A1C levels were measured.

Main Results:

  • CBF-CVR was significantly lower in impaired individuals (3.70%/mmHg) compared to HC (4.28%/mmHg).
  • Higher CBF-CVR correlated with better cognitive performance (MoCA, composite, language) and physical function (gait speed, chair stands), independent of AD markers.
  • CBF-CVR was associated with Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores and inversely correlated with hemoglobin A1C levels.

Conclusions:

  • Phase-contrast MRI-derived CBF-CVR is a potential imaging biomarker for cognitive impairment and dementia.
  • CBF-CVR is associated with cognitive and physical function, as well as disease severity, irrespective of AD pathology.
  • Reduced CBF-CVR may indicate impaired cerebrovascular regulation contributing to cognitive decline.

Keywords:
Alzheimer’s diseaseCerebrovascular reactivitycarbon dioxidevascular cognitive impairment and dementiavasodilation

More Related Videos

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions07:30

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions

Published on: April 23, 2021

3.0K
Author Spotlight: Noninvasive Cerebral Blood Flow Determination in Human Functional Brain Region for Diagnosis of Neurological Disorders05:23

Author Spotlight: Noninvasive Cerebral Blood Flow Determination in Human Functional Brain Region for Diagnosis of Neurological Disorders

Published on: May 31, 2024

546

Related Concept Videos

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview01:26

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction01:29

Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction

Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
Dementia l: Introduction01:22

Dementia l: Introduction

Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...