Abstract #0008

Hemodynamics and permeability of the windows of the brain: dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of the circumventricular organs

Inge Verheggen¹, Joost de Jong², Martin van Boxtel¹, Alida Postma², Frans Verhey¹, Jacobus Jansen^2,3, and Walter Backes²

¹Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands, ²Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands, ³Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands

Circumventricular organs (CVOs), located around the ventricles without blood-brain barrier, maintain homeostasis between the blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain. Secretory CVOs are involved in peptide release and sensory CVOs regulate signal transmission. These organs can be an entrance point for pathogens. For the first time, physiological properties of the CVOs were assessed in vivo with dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI.

Assessing pharmacokinetics (leakage rate; blood perfusion; uptake capacity/retention) with DCE MRI in 20 healthy males, demonstrated that only secretory CVOs had noticeable stronger hemodynamics and higher permeability than normal-appearing brain matter.

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