Quantitative transport mapping of multi-delay arterial spin labeling MRI detects early blood perfusion alterations in Alzheimer’s disease

作者：Yihao Guo, Liangdong Zhou, Yi Li, Gloria Chiang, Tao Liu, Huijuan Chen, Weiyuan Huang, Mony J. de Leon, Yi Wang, Feng Chen · 发表于：Alzheimer s Research & Therapy · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1186/s13195-024-01524-6 · 被引用次数：11 · 研究领域：Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications、Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research、Functional Brain Connectivity Studies

BACKGROUND: Quantitative transport mapping (QTM) of blood velocity, based on the transport equation has been demonstrated higher accuracy and sensitivity of perfusion quantification than the traditional Kety's method-based cerebral blood flow (CBF). This study aimed to investigate the associations between QTM velocity and cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) using multiple post-labeling delay arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI. METHODS: A total of 128 subjects (21 normal controls (NC), 80 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 27 AD) were recruited prospectively. All participants underwent MRI examination and neuropsychological evaluation. QTM velocity and traditional CBF maps were computed from multiple delay ASL. Regional quantitative perfusion measurements were performed and compared to study group differences. We tested the hypothesis that cognition declines with reduced cerebral blood perfusion with consideration of age and gender effects. RESULTS: In cortical gray matter (GM) and the hippocampus, QTM velocity and CBF showed decreased values in the AD group compared to NC and MCI groups; QTM velocity, but not CBF, showed a significant difference between MCI and NC groups. QTM velocity and CBF showed values decreasing with age; QTM velocity, but not CBF, showed a significant gender difference between male and female. QTM velocity and CBF in the hippocampus were positively correlated with cognition, including global cognition, memory, executive function...