Regional White Matter Perfusion Measurement Using an Optimized Pseudo-Continuous ASL MRI

Kun Lu¹, Thomas T. Liu¹, Eric C. Wong¹, Youngkyoo Jung¹

Measuring white matter perfusion using arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI is challenging due to low SNR, partial volume and transit time effects. In this study we used an optimized pseudo-continuous ASL method to measure transit time and perfusion in major white matter regions across the brain. The optimized method offered significantly improved SNR compared to conventional pulsed and continuous ASL methods and enabled perfusion measurement in white matter. The partial volume effects were reduced by carefully selecting only regions of interest containing more than 90% of white matter. Our results indicated a wide spread of the white matter transit time and perfusion values. The mean transit time for whole brain white matter was 1394 msec and mean perfusion 23.6 ml/100g/min.