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Optimization of brain perfusion image quality by cortical surface-based projection of arterial spin labeling maps in early-onset Alzheimer's disease patients

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Abstract

Objectives

Arterial spin labelling (ASL) is a promising MRI sequence that allows noninvasive detection of cortical perfusion alterations in neurodegenerative disorders, but its interpretation remains difficult at an individual level. In this work, a cortical surface-based projection of ASL maps was applied in patients with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (EOAD) to improve the image quality and visual representation of perfusion data.

Methods

Eighteen patients referred from the reference centre for EOAD were assessed by MRI with ASL sequences. Data processing was applied on each examination including correction of partial volume effects and cortical projection of preprocessed ASL data. Cortical segmentation and perfusion display were qualitatively analyzed according to a three-point scale.

Results

All examinations were suitable for complete data processing. Quality of segmentation and of cortical surface-based perfusion maps was scored as optimal in 72 % in both cases. Cortical surface-based ASL maps provided a more global view than single slices and an accurate approach of brain perfusion in EOAD patients.

Conclusion

Cortical surface-based analysis of ASL maps is technically feasible with a good image quality and may enable significant improvement in the detection of focal perfusion alterations in neurodegenerative disorders in the real-life clinical setting.

Key Points

• Arterial spin labelling is a promising sequence for assessing Alzheimer's disease.

• Optimization of ASL brain perfusion image quality is crucial for image interpretation.

• Cortical surface-based analysis may improve detection of perfusion alterations in a real-life clinical setting.

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Abbreviations

ASL:

Arterial spin labeling (ASL)

EOAD:

Early onset Alzheimer's disease

AD:

Alzheimer's disease

18FDG-PET:

18fluoro-deoxyglucose-PET

SNR:

signal-to-noise ratio

MMSE:

mini-mental state examination

pCASL:

pseudo-continuous ASL

CBF:

Cerebral blood flow

EPI:

Echo planar imaging

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Acknowledgments

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Dr Sebastien Verclytte. The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article. The authors state that this work has not received any funding. No complex statistical methods were necessary for this paper. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects (patients) in this study. Methodology: prospective, performed at one institution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Lille, Nord de France, Lille, France

    Sebastien Verclytte, Renaud Lopes, Christine Delmaire, Florence Pasquier & Xavier Leclerc

  2. Groupement Hospitalier de l’Institut Catholique de Lille/Faculté de Médecine et Maïeutique, Lille, France

    Sebastien Verclytte

  3. Department of Radiology, Hospital Saint-Philibert, Rue du Grand But, Lomme, France

    Sebastien Verclytte

  4. Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital of Lille, Lille, France

    Christine Delmaire & Xavier Leclerc

  5. In-vivo Imaging Platform, Predictive Medicine and Therapeutic Research Institute, University Hospital of Lille, Lille, France

    Sebastien Verclytte, Renaud Lopes, Christine Delmaire & Xavier Leclerc

  6. Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital of Rennes, Rennes, France

    Jean-Christophe Ferre

  7. Memory Resources and Research Center, University Hospital of Lille, Lille, France

    Florence Pasquier

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  1. Sebastien Verclytte
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Correspondence to Sebastien Verclytte.

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Verclytte, S., Lopes, R., Delmaire, C. et al. Optimization of brain perfusion image quality by cortical surface-based projection of arterial spin labeling maps in early-onset Alzheimer's disease patients. Eur Radiol 25, 2479–2484 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-3652-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-3652-0

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