Pseudo Random Arterial Spin Labeling
Lead Inventors: Truman R. Brown, PhD Problem or Unmet Need:Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is one of the most important physiological variables in understanding local brain metabolism. By detecting changes in blood flow, regions of the brain with increased blood oxygen requirements can be identified - this is the most frequently used method to estimate changes in neural activation. Previously CBF measurements have used PET, CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect radioactive tracers or radiographic or MR contrast agents administered to the patient intravenously, but these methods are invasive and expensive, and some patients are excluded due to contraindications to the agent.Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) techniques replace the need for injected contrast agents by using water protons in the plasma as an endogenous MRI tracer, which is both non-invasive and cost effective. However, it is not possible to measure the transit time or temporal distribution from the labeled location with accuracy using these methods, and problems are encountered in diseased brains with decreased blood flow and in areas containing white matter.This invention is an improved method for measuring cerebral blood flow and perfusion in a MR scanner with greater sensitivity than current technologies. Instead of applying a steady label to the flowing spins in ASL, a more complex pattern - known as pseudo random sequence is used, which provides information on flow times and spatial distribution.
This invention allows a non-invasive measurement of cerebral perfusion, with greater sensitivity than possible at present. The closest prior technology to this is ASL, which also involves labeling flowing blood, but does not allow the measurement of the temporal distribution of transit times from the labeled location to the measurement position with the accuracy possible with this invention. These methods provide more a more detailed picture of cerebral blood flow in a shorter time.
A method for investigating how blood or other fluids, move through and out of vessels. In particular, how long blood takes to move from an artery through the body and into tissue. Changes in cerebral blood flow can be measured to examine activity during normal brain function, or during many of the pathological events that lead to acute or chronic brain dysfunction. These pathological changes have an earlier onset than structural biomarkers and can be a useful tool for diagnosing stroke, ischemia, brain tumors and dementia.
This invention is an improved method for measuring cerebral blood flow and perfusion in a MR scanner with greater sensitivity than current technologies. Instead of applying a steady label to the flowing spins in ASL, a more complex pattern - known as...
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