In this study we
investigate the sensitivity
of streamlined-qBOLD for detecting changes in baseline brain oxygenation and
therefore its suitability for clinical application to vascular dysfunction and
stroke. Baseline brain oxygenation is modulated in a group of normal volunteers
using hypocapnia (a reduction in blood CO2). In this group, streamlined-qBOLD
measured significant (p<0.05) increases in grey matter R2′ and OEF, between normocapnic and
hypocapnic conditions. This suggests
the technique can provide important metabolic information in cases of vascular dysfunction where flow and brain oxygenation may be
impaired.
