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Abstract #0726

Alteration of Water Exchange Rates Following Focused ultrasound-Mediated BBB Opening in the Dorsal Striatum: A Diffusion-Prepared pCASL Study

Dong Liu1, Xingfeng Shao2, Soroosh Sanatkhani1, Fabian Munoz1, Elisa E Konofagou3, Danny Wang2, and Vincent Ferrera1
1Zuckerman Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States, 2Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States, 3Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States

Synopsis

Keywords: Arterial Spin Labelling, Focused Ultrasound, Blood-Brain Barrier Opening

Motivation: Focused ultrasound (FUS) enables temporary blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening, supporting targeted drug delivery and brain modulation. Safer, contrast-free imaging methods are needed to confirm BBB opening without gadolinium-based agents, which carry health risks.

Goal(s): This study investigates water as an endogenous tracer to confirm FUS-induced BBB opening, minimizing the need for contrast agents.

Approach: We assessed changes in water permeability using a diffusion-prepared arterial spin labeling (DP-pCASL) MRI technique in non-human primates, comparing perfusion and water exchange rates before and after FUS-induced BBB opening.

Results: FUS-induced BBB opening significantly reduced water exchange rates, supporting DP-pCASL as a non-contrast method for detection.

Impact: This study evaluated a non-contrast MRI method to assess focused ultrasound-induced BBB opening, providing a safer alternative to gadolinium-based agents for monitoring BBB permeability changes and supporting clinical advances in FUS-mediated drug delivery and neuromodulation.

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