Takashi Yoshiura MD, PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Tomoyuki Noguchi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Akio Hiwatashi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Osamu Togao MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kouji Yamashita MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hiroshi Honda MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Eiki Nagao, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hironori Kamano MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To determine whether quantitative arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion imaging and 3T MRI can detect cerebral hypoperfusion in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD).

Twelve patients with AD (MMSE score ranged 11-24, mean 20.3) and 15 healthy aged subjects were studied with quantitative ASL perfusion imaging (QUASAR) at 3T MRI (labeling slab = 150 mm, TR/TE = 4000/22 ms, sense factor = 2, FA = 11.7 & 35, sampling points = 13, sampling interval = 300 ms, FOV = 240 mm, slice/gap = 7/1 mm, imaging time = 5 min 52 s). The imaging slab covered a 55 mm-thick volume. Mapping of absolute cerebral blood flow (CBF) was performed using a dedicated software package (courtesy of Drs. Petersen and Golay). The CBF maps were coregistered to the corresponding anatomical images, and then spatially normalized for statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis. Voxel-wise comparison of CBF was performed using 2-sample t-test on SPM2 software (Welcome Department of Imaging, UCL) at a significance level of 0.001 (uncorrected for multiple comparisons).

Significant CBF reduction in AD patients in comparison with healthy subjects was observed in 6 brain regions including the bilateral precunei, bilateral posterior cingulate gyri, and bilateral inferior parietal lobules. Percent reduction of CBF ranged from 34.3 to 43.6 %. No brain region showed the converse relationship.

Our results suggested that cerebral hypoperfusion in AD patients can be detected by non-invasive quantitative ASL perfusion imaging at 3T MRI that can be performed within 6 minutes. This technique may be clinically useful in diagnosing AD.

Non-invasive quantitative arterial spin labeling perfusion imaging at 3T MRI performed in 6 minutes can detect cerebral hypoperfusion in Alzheimer disease.

Yoshiura, T, Noguchi, T, Hiwatashi, A, Togao, O, Yamashita, K, Honda, H, Nagao, E, Kamano, H, et al, , Detection of Cerebral Hypoperfusion in Alzheimer Disease Using Quantitative Arterial Spin Labeling at 3 T MRI.  Radiological Society of North America 2008 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, February 18 - February 20, 2008 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2008/6013941.html