Abstract #1688

Diffusion and multi-echo ASL reveal lower blood-brain interface water permeability in mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer’s disease

Tabitha J Manson^1,2, Xingfeng Shao³, Danny JJ Wang³, Matthias Günther^4,5, Lynette Tippett^2,6,7, Michael Dragunow^2,7,8, David L Thomas^9,10, Vinod Suresh^1,11, and Catherine Morgan^2,6,7

¹Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand, ²Brain Research New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand, ³Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States, ⁴Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine MEVIS, Bremen, Germany, ⁵Faculty 01 (Physics/Electrical Engineering), University Bremen, Bremen, Germany, ⁶School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand, ⁷Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand, ⁸Department of Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand, ⁹Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom, ¹⁰Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK, London, United Kingdom, ¹¹Department of Engineering Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction has been found in multiple neurodegenerative conditions, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However recent concerns on the repeated use of Gadolinium based contrast agents (GBCAs), prompted us to investigate alternative, non-invasive methods for measuring BBB function. Both diffusion-weighted (DW) and multi-echo (ME) ASL was implemented at 3T to determine water transfer rates (kw) in the brain in MCI and early AD participants. We found kw to be lower in the cognitively impaired group, compared to controls, with both modalities, suggesting that these techniques may provide a marker of early AD pathology.

How to access this content:

For one year after publication, abstracts and videos are only open to registrants of this annual meeting. Registrants should use their existing login information. Non-registrant access can be purchased via the ISMRM E-Library.

After one year, current ISMRM & ISMRT members get free access to both the abstracts and videos. Non-members and non-registrants must purchase access via the ISMRM E-Library.

After two years, the meeting proceedings (abstracts) are opened to the public and require no login information. Videos remain behind password for access by members, registrants and E-Library customers.

Click here for more information on becoming a member.