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MVP-VSASL: measuring MicroVascular Pulsatility using velocity-selective arterial spin labeling.
Conan Chen1,2,3, Ryan A Barnes1,2, Katherine J Bangen4,5
1Center for Functional MRI, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
|January 31, 2025
Summary
We developed MVP-VSASL, a new method using velocity-selective arterial spin labeling to measure cerebral microvascular pulsatility. This technique shows promise for studying age-related changes and cognitive disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Background:
- Cerebral microvascular pulsatility reflects cardiac-dependent blood flow fluctuations.
- Assessing microvascular pulsatility is crucial for understanding cerebrovascular health.
- Existing methods may have limitations in specificity and resolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce MVP-VSASL, a novel technique for measuring cerebral microvascular pulsatility.
- Leverage the small-vessel specificity of velocity-selective arterial spin labeling (VSASL).
- Establish a method for quantifying microvascular pulsatility index (MPI) using VSASL.
Main Methods:
- Developed a theoretical model linking VSASL signal to MPI.
- Guided selection of VSASL bolus duration for optimal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
- Validated the model in humans using cardiac-gated VSASL and assessed repeatability and age association.
Main Results:
- Theoretical model demonstrated excellent agreement with empirical data (R²=0.898).
- Demonstrated excellent intrasession repeatability of pulsatility measurements.
- Showcased potential for voxel-wise pulsatility mapping and age association studies.
Conclusions:
- Introduced MVP-VSASL, a novel VSASL-based technique for cerebral microvascular pulsatility.
- This method facilitates investigation of microvascular damage in cognitive disorders.
- MVP-VSASL offers a promising tool for advancing cerebrovascular research.
