Applications of dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging in Neuropsychiatry

Functional neuroimaging has assumed an important role in the cognitive and clinical neurosciences. Recently, substantial progress has been made toward developing functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques for the examination of cerebral hemodynamic changes that accompany brain function and toward earlier and better diagnosis of brain disease. Dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI offers unique information about cerebral hemodynamics both at rest and in response to brain activation. We review the clinical applications of DSC MRI and present our experience with this modality in the evaluation of patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. Our experience suggests that DSC MRI may afford new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of cognitive disorders.