Normative Cerebral Perfusion Across the Lifespan.

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Human Lifespan Development
• Cerebrovascular Health

Background:

• Cerebral perfusion is vital for brain function and linked to neuronal activity.
• Previous lifespan studies of cerebral perfusion were limited by small sample sizes and inconsistent methods.
• A comprehensive understanding of cerebral perfusion dynamics across the entire human lifespan is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct the first normative model of cerebral perfusion across the human lifespan (birth to 85 years).
• To map nonlinear growth trajectories of cerebral perfusion at global, network, and regional levels.
• To identify disease-specific perfusion abnormalities and establish typical/atypical trajectories for prognostic value.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a large multi-site dataset of over 12,000 arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI scans.
• Employed generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS) for normative modeling.
• Analyzed global, network, and regional cerebral perfusion, incorporating longitudinal data.

Main Results:

• Established nonlinear trajectories of cerebral perfusion, peaking around 7.1 years and declining thereafter.
• Identified sex-specific regional maturation patterns in cerebral perfusion.
• Quantified deviations from normative patterns in four brain disorders, showing disease-specific abnormalities.

Conclusions:

• Provides a robust normative framework for cerebral perfusion across the human lifespan.
• Facilitates precise characterization of brain health and neurovascular function.
• Enhances early identification of neurovascular dysfunction and disease progression using perfusion biomarkers.