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Haast RAM, Kashyap S, Ivanov D, Yousif MD, DeKraker J, Poser BA, Khan AR. Insights into hippocampal perfusion using high-resolution, multi-modal 7T MRI. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2310044121. [PMID: 38446857 PMCID: PMC10945835 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310044121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
We present a comprehensive study on the non-invasive measurement of hippocampal perfusion. Using high-resolution 7 tesla arterial spin labeling (ASL) data, we generated robust perfusion maps and observed significant variations in perfusion among hippocampal subfields, with CA1 exhibiting the lowest perfusion levels. Notably, these perfusion differences were robust and already detectable with 50 perfusion-weighted images per subject, acquired in 5 min. To understand the underlying factors, we examined the influence of image quality metrics, various tissue microstructure and morphometric properties, macrovasculature, and cytoarchitecture. We observed higher perfusion in regions located closer to arteries, demonstrating the influence of vascular proximity on hippocampal perfusion. Moreover, ex vivo cytoarchitectonic features based on neuronal density differences appeared to correlate stronger with hippocampal perfusion than morphometric measures like gray matter thickness. These findings emphasize the interplay between microvasculature, macrovasculature, and metabolic demand in shaping hippocampal perfusion. Our study expands the current understanding of hippocampal physiology and its relevance to neurological disorders. By providing in vivo evidence of perfusion differences between hippocampal subfields, our findings have implications for diagnosis and potential therapeutic interventions. In conclusion, our study provides a valuable resource for extensively characterizing hippocampal perfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy A. M. Haast
- Centre of Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ONN6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Sriranga Kashyap
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht6200, The Netherlands
- Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ONM5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Dimo Ivanov
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht6200, The Netherlands
| | - Mohamed D. Yousif
- Centre of Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ONN6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Jordan DeKraker
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Benedikt A. Poser
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht6200, The Netherlands
| | - Ali R. Khan
- Centre of Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ONN6A 3K7, Canada
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2
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Haast RAM, Kashyap S, Ivanov D, Yousif MD, DeKraker J, Poser BA, Khan AR. Novel insights into hippocampal perfusion using high-resolution, multi-modal 7T MRI. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.19.549533. [PMID: 37503042 PMCID: PMC10370151 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.19.549533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
We present a comprehensive study on the non-invasive measurement of hippocampal perfusion. Using high-resolution 7 Tesla arterial spin labelling data, we generated robust perfusion maps and observed significant variations in perfusion among hippocampal subfields, with CA1 exhibiting the lowest perfusion levels. Notably, these perfusion differences were robust and detectable even within five minutes and just fifty perfusion-weighted images per subject. To understand the underlying factors, we examined the influence of image quality metrics, various tissue microstructure and morphometry properties, macrovasculature and cytoarchitecture. We observed higher perfusion in regions located closer to arteries, demonstrating the influence of vascular proximity on hippocampal perfusion. Moreover, ex vivo cytoarchitectonic features based on neuronal density differences appeared to correlate stronger with hippocampal perfusion than morphometric measures like gray matter thickness. These findings emphasize the interplay between microvasculature, macrovasculature, and metabolic demand in shaping hippocampal perfusion. Our study expands the current understanding of hippocampal physiology and its relevance to neurological disorders. By providing in vivo evidence of perfusion differences between hippocampal subfields, our findings have implications for diagnosis and potential therapeutic interventions. In conclusion, our study provides a valuable resource for extensively characterising hippocampal perfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy A M Haast
- Centre of Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sriranga Kashyap
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dimo Ivanov
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Mohamed D Yousif
- Centre of Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordan DeKraker
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Benedikt A Poser
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ali R Khan
- Centre of Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Priovoulos N, de Oliveira IAF, Poser BA, Norris DG, van der Zwaag W. Combining arterial blood contrast with BOLD increases fMRI intracortical contrast. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:2509-2522. [PMID: 36763562 PMCID: PMC10028680 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BOLD fMRI is widely applied in human neuroscience but is limited in its spatial specificity due to a cortical-depth-dependent venous bias. This reduces its localization specificity with respect to neuronal responses, a disadvantage for neuroscientific research. Here, we modified a submillimeter BOLD protocol to selectively reduce venous and tissue signal and increase cerebral blood volume weighting through a pulsed saturation scheme (dubbed Arterial Blood Contrast) at 7 T. Adding Arterial Blood Contrast on top of the existing BOLD contrast modulated the intracortical contrast. Isolating the Arterial Blood Contrast showed a response free of pial-surface bias. The results suggest that Arterial Blood Contrast can modulate the typical fMRI spatial specificity, with important applications in in-vivo neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikos Priovoulos
- Spinoza Center for Neuroimaging, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Computational Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Icaro Agenor Ferreira de Oliveira
- Spinoza Center for Neuroimaging, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Computational Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Experimental and Applied Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Benedikt A Poser
- MR-Methods Group, Maastricht Brain Imaging Center, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - David G Norris
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Erwin L. Hahn Institute for MRI, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Wietske van der Zwaag
- Spinoza Center for Neuroimaging, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Computational Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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4
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Ye F, Du L, Liu B, Gao X, Yang A, Liu D, Chen Y, Lv K, Xu P, Chen Y, Liu J, Zhang L, Li S, Shmuel A, Zhang Q, Ma G. Application of pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling perfusion imaging in children with autism spectrum disorders. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1045585. [PMID: 36425476 PMCID: PMC9680558 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1045585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pseudocontinuous Arterial Spin Labeling (pCASL) perfusion imaging allows non-invasive quantification of regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) as part of a multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol. This study aimed to compare regional CBF in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) individuals with their age-matched typically developing (TD) children using pCASL perfusion imaging. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study enrolled 17 individuals with ASD and 13 TD children. All participants underwent pCASL examination on a 3.0 T MRI scanner. Children in two groups were assessed for clinical characteristics and developmental profiles using Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) and Gesell development diagnosis scale (GDDS), respectively. We compared CBF in different cerebral regions of ASD and TD children. We also assessed the association between CBF and clinical characteristics/developmental profile. Results Compared with TD children, individuals with ASD demonstrated a reduction in CBF in the left frontal lobe, the bilateral parietal lobes, and the bilateral temporal lobes. Within the ASD group, CBF was significantly higher in the right parietal lobe than in the left side. Correlation analysis of behavior characteristics and CBF in different regions showed a positive correlation between body and object domain scores on the ABC and CBF of the bilateral occipital lobes, and separately, between language domain scores and CBF of the left frontal lobe. The score of the social and self-help domain was negatively correlated with the CBF of the left frontal lobe, the left parietal lobe, and the left temporal lobe. Conclusion Cerebral blood flow was found to be negatively correlated with scores in the social and self-help domain, and positively correlated with those in the body and object domain, indicating that CBF values are a potential MRI-based biomarker of disease severity in ASD patients. The findings may provide novel insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Ye
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Du
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education, Department of Radiology, Peking University, Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinying Gao
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Aocai Yang
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Die Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Chen
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- Peking University China-Japan Friendship School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Kuan Lv
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- Peking University China-Japan Friendship School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Pengfei Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanmei Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lipeng Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shijun Li
- Department of Radiology, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Amir Shmuel
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- Qi Zhang,
| | - Guolin Ma
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Guolin Ma,
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Hernandez‐Garcia L, Aramendía‐Vidaurreta V, Bolar DS, Dai W, Fernández‐Seara MA, Guo J, Madhuranthakam AJ, Mutsaerts H, Petr J, Qin Q, Schollenberger J, Suzuki Y, Taso M, Thomas DL, van Osch MJP, Woods J, Zhao MY, Yan L, Wang Z, Zhao L, Okell TW. Recent Technical Developments in ASL: A Review of the State of the Art. Magn Reson Med 2022; 88:2021-2042. [PMID: 35983963 PMCID: PMC9420802 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This review article provides an overview of a range of recent technical developments in advanced arterial spin labeling (ASL) methods that have been developed or adopted by the community since the publication of a previous ASL consensus paper by Alsop et al. It is part of a series of review/recommendation papers from the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Perfusion Study Group. Here, we focus on advancements in readouts and trajectories, image reconstruction, noise reduction, partial volume correction, quantification of nonperfusion parameters, fMRI, fingerprinting, vessel selective ASL, angiography, deep learning, and ultrahigh field ASL. We aim to provide a high level of understanding of these new approaches and some guidance for their implementation, with the goal of facilitating the adoption of such advances by research groups and by MRI vendors. Topics outside the scope of this article that are reviewed at length in separate articles include velocity selective ASL, multiple-timepoint ASL, body ASL, and clinical ASL recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Divya S. Bolar
- Center for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Department of RadiologyUniversity of California at San DiegoSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Weiying Dai
- Department of Computer ScienceState University of New York at BinghamtonBinghamtonNYUSA
| | | | - Jia Guo
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California RiversideRiversideCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Henk Mutsaerts
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear MedicineAmsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam NeuroscienceAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Jan Petr
- Helmholtz‐Zentrum Dresden‐RossendorfInstitute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer ResearchDresdenGermany
| | - Qin Qin
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological ScienceJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | | | - Yuriko Suzuki
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Manuel Taso
- Division of MRI research, RadiologyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - David L. Thomas
- Department of Brain Repair and RehabilitationUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Matthias J. P. van Osch
- C.J. Gorter Center for high field MRI, Department of RadiologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Joseph Woods
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Department of RadiologyUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Moss Y. Zhao
- Department of RadiologyStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Lirong Yan
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Ze Wang
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear MedicineUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Li Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument ScienceZhejiang UniversityZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Thomas W. Okell
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
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6
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Qin Q, Alsop DC, Bolar DS, Hernandez‐Garcia L, Meakin J, Liu D, Nayak KS, Schmid S, van Osch MJP, Wong EC, Woods JG, Zaharchuk G, Zhao MY, Zun Z, Guo J. Velocity-selective arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI: A review of the state of the art and recommendations for clinical implementation. Magn Reson Med 2022; 88:1528-1547. [PMID: 35819184 PMCID: PMC9543181 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This review article provides an overview of the current status of velocity-selective arterial spin labeling (VSASL) perfusion MRI and is part of a wider effort arising from the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) Perfusion Study Group. Since publication of the 2015 consensus paper on arterial spin labeling (ASL) for cerebral perfusion imaging, important advancements have been made in the field. The ASL community has, therefore, decided to provide an extended perspective on various aspects of technical development and application. Because VSASL has the potential to become a principal ASL method because of its unique advantages over traditional approaches, an in-depth discussion was warranted. VSASL labels blood based on its velocity and creates a magnetic bolus immediately proximal to the microvasculature within the imaging volume. VSASL is, therefore, insensitive to transit delay effects, in contrast to spatially selective pulsed and (pseudo-) continuous ASL approaches. Recent technical developments have improved the robustness and the labeling efficiency of VSASL, making it a potentially more favorable ASL approach in a wide range of applications where transit delay effects are of concern. In this review article, we (1) describe the concepts and theoretical basis of VSASL; (2) describe different variants of VSASL and their implementation; (3) provide recommended parameters and practices for clinical adoption; (4) describe challenges in developing and implementing VSASL; and (5) describe its current applications. As VSASL continues to undergo rapid development, the focus of this review is to summarize the fundamental concepts of VSASL, describe existing VSASL techniques and applications, and provide recommendations to help the clinical community adopt VSASL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Qin
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological ScienceJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - David C. Alsop
- Department of RadiologyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Divya S. Bolar
- Center for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Department of RadiologyUniversity of CaliforniaSan Diego La JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - James Meakin
- Department of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and AnatomyRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Dapeng Liu
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological ScienceJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Krishna S. Nayak
- Magnetic Resonance Engineering Laboratory, Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical EngineeringUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sophie Schmid
- C.J. Gorter Center for high field MRI, Department of RadiologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Matthias J. P. van Osch
- C.J. Gorter Center for high field MRI, Department of RadiologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Eric C. Wong
- Center for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Department of RadiologyUniversity of CaliforniaSan Diego La JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Joseph G. Woods
- Center for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Department of RadiologyUniversity of CaliforniaSan Diego La JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Greg Zaharchuk
- Department of RadiologyStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Moss Y. Zhao
- Department of RadiologyStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Zungho Zun
- Department of RadiologyWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Jia Guo
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California RiversideRiversideCaliforniaUSA
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Acute inorganic nitrate intake increases regional insulin action in the brain: Results of a double-blind, randomized, controlled cross-over trial with abdominally obese men. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 35:103115. [PMID: 35843050 PMCID: PMC9421446 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Improving brain insulin sensitivity may be a promising approach in the prevention and treatment of metabolic and cognitive diseases. Our aim was to investigate acute effects of inorganic nitrate on regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) responses to intranasal insulin in abdominally obese men. METHODS Eighteen apparently healthy men, aged 18-60 years and with a waist circumference ≥ 102 cm, participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over trial. The study consisted of two test days separated by at least one week. Men received in random order a drink providing 10 mmol (i.e., 625 mg nitrate) potassium nitrate or an isomolar placebo drink with potassium chloride. Brain insulin action was assessed 120-150 min after the drinks by quantifying acute effects of nasal insulin on regional CBF using arterial spin labeling Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Glucose and insulin concentrations were measured at regular intervals, while blood pressure was determined fasted and at 240 min. RESULTS Inorganic nitrate intake increased regional insulin action in five brain clusters. The two largest clusters were located in the right temporal lobe (ΔCBF: 7.0 ± 3.8 mL/100 g/min, volume: 5296 mm3, P < 0.001; and ΔCBF: 6.5 ± 4.3 mL/100 g/min, volume: 3592 mm3, P < 0.001), while two other cortical clusters were part of the right frontal (ΔCBF: 9.0 ± 6.0 mL/100 g/min, volume: 1096 mm3, P = 0.007) and the left parietal lobe (ΔCBF: 6.1 ± 4.3 mL/100 g/min, volume: 1024 mm3, P = 0.012). One subcortical cluster was located in the striatum (ΔCBF: 5.9 ± 3.2 mL/100 g/min, volume: 1792 mm3, P < 0.001). No effects of nitrate were observed on CBF before administration. Following nitrate intake, circulating nitrate plus nitrite concentrations increased over time (P = 0.003), but insulin and glucose concentrations and blood pressure did not change. CONCLUSION Acute inorganic nitrate intake may improve regional brain insulin action in abdominally obese men. These regions are involved in the regulation of different metabolic and cognitive processes. The trial was registered on January 6th, 2021 at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT04700241.
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Okada T, Fujimoto K, Fushimi Y, Akasaka T, Thuy DHD, Shima A, Sawamoto N, Oishi N, Zhang Z, Funaki T, Nakamoto Y, Murai T, Miyamoto S, Takahashi R, Isa T. Neuroimaging at 7 Tesla: a pictorial narrative review. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2022; 12:3406-3435. [PMID: 35655840 PMCID: PMC9131333 DOI: 10.21037/qims-21-969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Neuroimaging using the 7-Tesla (7T) human magnetic resonance (MR) system is rapidly gaining popularity after being approved for clinical use in the European Union and the USA. This trend is the same for functional MR imaging (MRI). The primary advantages of 7T over lower magnetic fields are its higher signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios, which provide high-resolution acquisitions and better contrast, making it easier to detect lesions and structural changes in brain disorders. Another advantage is the capability to measure a greater number of neurochemicals by virtue of the increased spectral resolution. Many structural and functional studies using 7T have been conducted to visualize details in the white matter and layers of the cortex and hippocampus, the subnucleus or regions of the putamen, the globus pallidus, thalamus and substantia nigra, and in small structures, such as the subthalamic nucleus, habenula, perforating arteries, and the perivascular space, that are difficult to observe at lower magnetic field strengths. The target disorders for 7T neuroimaging range from tumoral diseases to vascular, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. MR spectroscopy has also been used for research because of its increased chemical shift that separates overlapping peaks and resolves neurochemicals more effectively at 7T than a lower magnetic field. This paper presents a narrative review of these topics and an illustrative presentation of images obtained at 7T. We expect 7T neuroimaging to provide a new imaging biomarker of various brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohisa Okada
- Human Brain Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Koji Fujimoto
- Department of Real World Data Research and Development, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasutaka Fushimi
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Thai Akasaka
- Human Brain Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Dinh H. D. Thuy
- Human Brain Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Atsushi Shima
- Human Brain Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nobukatsu Sawamoto
- Department of Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Naoya Oishi
- Medial Innovation Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Zhilin Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takeshi Funaki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuji Nakamoto
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiya Murai
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Susumu Miyamoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Takahashi
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tadashi Isa
- Human Brain Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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9
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van Lanen RHGJ, Wiggins CJ, Colon AJ, Backes WH, Jansen JFA, Uher D, Drenthen GS, Roebroeck A, Ivanov D, Poser BA, Hoeberigs MC, van Kuijk SMJ, Hoogland G, Rijkers K, Wagner GL, Beckervordersandforth J, Delev D, Clusmann H, Wolking S, Klinkenberg S, Rouhl RPW, Hofman PAM, Schijns OEMG. Value of ultra-high field MRI in patients with suspected focal epilepsy and negative 3 T MRI (EpiUltraStudy): protocol for a prospective, longitudinal therapeutic study. Neuroradiology 2022; 64:753-764. [PMID: 34984522 PMCID: PMC8907090 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-021-02884-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Resective epilepsy surgery is a well-established, evidence-based treatment option in patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. A major predictive factor of good surgical outcome is visualization and delineation of a potential epileptogenic lesion by MRI. However, frequently, these lesions are subtle and may escape detection by conventional MRI (≤ 3 T). METHODS We present the EpiUltraStudy protocol to address the hypothesis that application of ultra-high field (UHF) MRI increases the rate of detection of structural lesions and functional brain aberrances in patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy who are candidates for resective epilepsy surgery. Additionally, therapeutic gain will be addressed, testing whether increased lesion detection and tailored resections result in higher rates of seizure freedom 1 year after epilepsy surgery. Sixty patients enroll the study according to the following inclusion criteria: aged ≥ 12 years, diagnosed with drug-resistant focal epilepsy with a suspected epileptogenic focus, negative conventional 3 T MRI during pre-surgical work-up. RESULTS All patients will be evaluated by 7 T MRI; ten patients will undergo an additional 9.4 T MRI exam. Images will be evaluated independently by two neuroradiologists and a neurologist or neurosurgeon. Clinical and UHF MRI will be discussed in the multidisciplinary epilepsy surgery conference. Demographic and epilepsy characteristics, along with postoperative seizure outcome and histopathological evaluation, will be recorded. CONCLUSION This protocol was reviewed and approved by the local Institutional Review Board and complies with the Declaration of Helsinki and principles of Good Clinical Practice. Results will be submitted to international peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER www.trialregister.nl : NTR7536.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H G J van Lanen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands. .,School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - C J Wiggins
- Scannexus, Ultra-High Field MRI Research Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - A J Colon
- Academic Centre for Epileptology, Kempenhaeghe/Maastricht University Medical Center, Heeze/Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - W H Backes
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - J F A Jansen
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Academic Centre for Epileptology, Kempenhaeghe/Maastricht University Medical Center, Heeze/Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - D Uher
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - G S Drenthen
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - A Roebroeck
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - D Ivanov
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - B A Poser
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - M C Hoeberigs
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Academic Centre for Epileptology, Kempenhaeghe/Maastricht University Medical Center, Heeze/Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - S M J van Kuijk
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - G Hoogland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Academic Centre for Epileptology, Kempenhaeghe/Maastricht University Medical Center, Heeze/Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - K Rijkers
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Academic Centre for Epileptology, Kempenhaeghe/Maastricht University Medical Center, Heeze/Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - G L Wagner
- Academic Centre for Epileptology, Kempenhaeghe/Maastricht University Medical Center, Heeze/Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | - D Delev
- Department of Neurosurgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - H Clusmann
- Department of Neurosurgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - S Wolking
- Department of Epileptology and Neurology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - S Klinkenberg
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Academic Centre for Epileptology, Kempenhaeghe/Maastricht University Medical Center, Heeze/Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - R P W Rouhl
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Academic Centre for Epileptology, Kempenhaeghe/Maastricht University Medical Center, Heeze/Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - P A M Hofman
- Academic Centre for Epileptology, Kempenhaeghe/Maastricht University Medical Center, Heeze/Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - O E M G Schijns
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Academic Centre for Epileptology, Kempenhaeghe/Maastricht University Medical Center, Heeze/Maastricht, the Netherlands
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10
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Shao X, Guo F, Shou Q, Wang K, Jann K, Yan L, Toga AW, Zhang P, Wang DJJ. Laminar perfusion imaging with zoomed arterial spin labeling at 7 Tesla. Neuroimage 2021; 245:118724. [PMID: 34780918 PMCID: PMC8727512 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Laminar fMRI based on BOLD and CBV contrast at ultrahigh magnetic fields has been applied for studying the dynamics of mesoscopic brain networks. However, the quantitative interpretations of BOLD/CBV fMRI results are confounded by different baseline physiology across cortical layers. Here we introduce a novel 3D zoomed pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) technique at 7T that offers the capability for quantitative measurements of laminar cerebral blood flow (CBF) both at rest and during task activation with high spatial specificity and sensitivity. We found arterial transit time in superficial layers is ∼100 ms shorter than in middle/deep layers revealing the time course of labeled blood flowing from pial arteries to downstream microvasculature. Resting state CBF peaked in the middle layers which is highly consistent with microvascular density measured from human cortex specimens. Finger tapping induced a robust two-peak laminar profile of CBF increases in the superficial (somatosensory and premotor input) and deep (spinal output) layers of M1, while finger brushing task induced a weaker CBF increase in superficial layers (somatosensory input). This observation is highly consistent with reported laminar profiles of CBV activation on M1. We further demonstrated that visuospatial attention induced a predominant CBF increase in deep layers and a smaller CBF increase on top of the lower baseline CBF in superficial layers of V1 (feedback cortical input), while stimulus driven activity peaked in the middle layers (feedforward thalamic input). With the capability for quantitative CBF measurements both at baseline and during task activation, high-resolution ASL perfusion fMRI at 7T provides an important tool for in vivo assessment of neurovascular function and metabolic activities of neural circuits across cortical layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingfeng Shao
- Laboratory of FMRI Technology (LOFT), USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2025 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Fanhua Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Beijing MRI Center for Brain Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qinyang Shou
- Laboratory of FMRI Technology (LOFT), USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2025 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Laboratory of FMRI Technology (LOFT), USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2025 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Kay Jann
- Laboratory of FMRI Technology (LOFT), USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2025 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Lirong Yan
- Laboratory of FMRI Technology (LOFT), USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2025 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Arthur W Toga
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging, USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Peng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Beijing MRI Center for Brain Research, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Danny J J Wang
- Laboratory of FMRI Technology (LOFT), USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2025 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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11
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Kurban D, Ivanov D, Kashyap S, Huber L, Liberman G, Poser BA. Concurrent CBF and bold FMRI with dual-echo spiral simultaneous multi-slice acquisitions at 7T. Neuroimage 2021; 247:118820. [PMID: 34920086 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF) using the Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) technique is a desirable fMRI approach due to the higher specificity of CBF to the site of neural activation. However, ASL has inherent limitations, such as a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and low coverage/resolution due to the limited readout window following the labeling. Recently, ASL has been implemented at ultra-high field (UHF) strengths in an attempt to mitigate the SNR challenges. Even though ASL intrinsically allows concurrent acquisition of CBF and BOLD contrasts, a compromise in the echo time (TE) for either of the contrasts is inevitable with single-echo acquisitions. Long durations of the Cartesian EPI readout do not allow for multi-echo acquisitions for resolutions ≤2 mm where both contrasts can be acquired at their optimal TE at UHF. With its higher acquisition efficiency, single-shot spiral imaging provides a promising alternative to EPI, and with a dual-echo, out-in trajectory allows both CBF and BOLD contrasts to be acquired at their respective optimal TE. In this work, we implemented a dual-echo spiral out-in ASL sequence with simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) readout for increased coverage, and validated its application to fMRI with a visuomotor paradigm. Conventional Cartesian EPI acquisitions with matched parameters served as a reference. The dual-echo spiral ASL acquisitions resulted in robust CBF and BOLD activations maps. The absolute and relative CBF changes measured with the dual-echo spiral readout were in agreement with previous reports in the literature as well as the reference Cartesian acquisitions. The BOLD response amplitude was higher compared to the Cartesian acquisitions, attributable to a more optimal TE of the second echo. In conclusion, dual-echo spiral out-in SMS acquisition shows promise for concurrent acquisitions of BOLD and non-BOLD contrasts that require a short TE, with no loss in temporal resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denizhan Kurban
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6200MD, the Netherland.
| | - Dimo Ivanov
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6200MD, the Netherland
| | - Sriranga Kashyap
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6200MD, the Netherland
| | - Laurentius Huber
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6200MD, the Netherland
| | - Gilad Liberman
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6200MD, the Netherland; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Benedikt A Poser
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6200MD, the Netherland
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12
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Li L, Law C, Marrett S, Chai Y, Huber L, Jezzard P, Bandettini P. Quantification of cerebral blood volume changes caused by visual stimulation at 3 T using DANTE-prepared dual-echo EPI. Magn Reson Med 2021; 87:1846-1862. [PMID: 34817081 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigate the influence of moving blood-attenuation effects when using "delay alternating with nutation for tailored excitation" (DANTE) pulses in conjunction with blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) of functional MRI (fMRI) at 3 T. Based on the effects of including DANTE pulses, we propose quantification of cerebral blood volume (CBV) changes following functional stimulation. METHODS Eighteen volunteers in total underwent fMRI scans at 3 T. Seven volunteers were scanned to investigate the effects of DANTE pulses on the fMRI signal. CBV changes in response to visual stimulation were quantified in 11 volunteers using a DANTE-prepared dual-echo EPI sequence. RESULTS The inflow effects from flowing blood in arteries and draining vein effects from flowing blood in large veins can be suppressed by use of a DANTE preparation module. Using DANTE-prepared dual-echo EPI, we quantitatively measured intravascular-weighted microvascular CBV changes of 25.4%, 29.8%, and 32.6% evoked by 1, 5, and 10 Hz visual stimulation, respectively. The extravascular fraction (∆S/S)extra at TE = 30 ms in total BOLD signal was determined to be 64.8 ± 3.4%, which is in line with previous extravascular component estimation at 3 T. Results show that the microvascular CBV changes are linearly dependent on total BOLD changes at TE = 30 ms with a slope of 0.113, and this relation is independent of stimulation frequency and subject. CONCLUSION The DANTE preparation pulses can be incorporated into a standard EPI fMRI sequence for the purpose of minimizing inflow effects and reducing draining veins effects in large vessels. Additionally, the DANTE-prepared dual-echo EPI sequence is a promising fast imaging tool for quantification of intravascular-weighted CBV change in the microvascular space at 3 T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linqing Li
- National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Christine Law
- Systems Neuroscience and Pain Lab, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sean Marrett
- National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuhui Chai
- National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Laurentius Huber
- MR-Methods Group, MBIC, FPN, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Peter Jezzard
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB Division, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter Bandettini
- National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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13
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de Zwart JA, van Gelderen P, Duyn JH. Sensitivity limitations of high-resolution perfusion-based human fMRI at 7 Tesla. Magn Reson Imaging 2021; 84:135-144. [PMID: 34624401 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2021.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The study of the brain's functional organization at laminar and columnar level of the cortex with blood oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) is affected by the contribution of large veins downstream from the microvascular response to brain activity. Blood volume- and especially perfusion-based techniques may reduce this problem because of their reduced sensitivity to venous effects, but may not allow the same spatial resolution because of smaller signal changes associated with brain activity. Here we investigated the practical resolution limits of perfusion-weighted fMRI in human visual stimulation experiments. For this purpose, we used a highly sensitive, single-shot perfusion labeling (SSPL) technique at 7 T and compared sensitivity to detect visual activation at low (2 mm, n = 10) and high (1 mm, n = 8) nominal isotropic spatial, and 3 s temporal, resolution with BOLD in 5½-minute-long experiments. Despite the smaller absolute signal change with activation, 2 mm resolution SSPL yielded comparable sensitivity to BOLD. This was attributed to a superior suppression of physiological noise with SSPL. However, at 1 mm nominal resolution, SSPL sensitivity fell on average at least 42% below that of BOLD, and detection of visual activation was compromised. This is explained by the fact that at high resolution, with both techniques, typically thermal noise rather than physiological noise dominates sensitivity. The observed sensitivity loss implies that to perform 1-mm resolution, perfusion weighted fMRI with a robustness similar to BOLD, scan times that are almost 3 times longer than the comparable BOLD experiment are required. This is in line with or slightly better than previous comparisons between perfusion-weighted fMRI and BOLD. The lower sensitivity has to be weighed against the spatial fidelity advantages of high-resolution perfusion-weighted fMRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacco A de Zwart
- Advanced MRI section, Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Peter van Gelderen
- Advanced MRI section, Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeff H Duyn
- Advanced MRI section, Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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14
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Abstract
Food and Drug Administration approval of 7T MR imaging allows ultrahigh-field neuroimaging to extend from the research realm into the clinical realm. Increased signal is clinically advantageous for smaller voxels and thereby high spatial resolution imaging, with additional advantages of increased tissue contrast. Susceptibility, time-of-flight signal, and blood oxygen level-dependent signal also have favorable clinical benefit from 7T. This article provides a survey of clinical cases showcasing some advantages of 7T.
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15
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Raimondo L, Oliveira ĹAF, Heij J, Priovoulos N, Kundu P, Leoni RF, van der Zwaag W. Advances in resting state fMRI acquisitions for functional connectomics. Neuroimage 2021; 243:118503. [PMID: 34479041 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) is based on spontaneous fluctuations in the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal, which occur simultaneously in different brain regions, without the subject performing an explicit task. The low-frequency oscillations of the rs-fMRI signal demonstrate an intrinsic spatiotemporal organization in the brain (brain networks) that may relate to the underlying neural activity. In this review article, we briefly describe the current acquisition techniques for rs-fMRI data, from the most common approaches for resting state acquisition strategies, to more recent investigations with dedicated hardware and ultra-high fields. Specific sequences that allow very fast acquisitions, or multiple echoes, are discussed next. We then consider how acquisition methods weighted towards specific parts of the BOLD signal, like the Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF) or Volume (CBV), can provide more spatially specific network information. These approaches are being developed alongside the commonly used BOLD-weighted acquisitions. Finally, specific applications of rs-fMRI to challenging regions such as the laminae in the neocortex, and the networks within the large areas of subcortical white matter regions are discussed. We finish the review with recommendations for acquisition strategies for a range of typical applications of resting state fMRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Raimondo
- Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Experimental and Applied Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ĺcaro A F Oliveira
- Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Experimental and Applied Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jurjen Heij
- Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Experimental and Applied Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Prantik Kundu
- Hyperfine Research Inc, Guilford, CT, United States; Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, United States
| | - Renata Ferranti Leoni
- InBrain, Department of Physics, FFCLRP, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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16
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Yang J, Huber L, Yu Y, Bandettini PA. Linking cortical circuit models to human cognition with laminar fMRI. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 128:467-478. [PMID: 34245758 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Laboratory animal research has provided significant knowledge into the function of cortical circuits at the laminar level, which has yet to be fully leveraged towards insights about human brain function on a similar spatiotemporal scale. The use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in conjunction with neural models provides new opportunities to gain important insights from current knowledge. During the last five years, human studies have demonstrated the value of high-resolution fMRI to study laminar-specific activity in the human brain. This is mostly performed at ultra-high-field strengths (≥ 7 T) and is known as laminar fMRI. Advancements in laminar fMRI are beginning to open new possibilities for studying questions in basic cognitive neuroscience. In this paper, we first review recent methodological advances in laminar fMRI and describe recent human laminar fMRI studies. Then, we discuss how the use of laminar fMRI can help bridge the gap between cortical circuit models and human cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Yang
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan; Section on Functional Imaging Methods, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Laurentius Huber
- MR-Methods Group, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Yinghua Yu
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan; Section on Functional Imaging Methods, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Peter A Bandettini
- Section on Functional Imaging Methods, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Functional MRI Core Facility, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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17
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Kashyap S, Ivanov D, Havlicek M, Huber L, Poser BA, Uludağ K. Sub-millimetre resolution laminar fMRI using Arterial Spin Labelling in humans at 7 T. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250504. [PMID: 33901230 PMCID: PMC8075193 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Laminar fMRI at ultra-high magnetic field strength is typically carried out using the Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent (BOLD) contrast. Despite its unrivalled sensitivity to detecting activation, the BOLD contrast is limited in its spatial specificity due to signals stemming from intra-cortical ascending and pial veins. Alternatively, regional changes in perfusion (i.e., cerebral blood flow through tissue) are colocalised to neuronal activation, which can be non-invasively measured using Arterial Spin Labelling (ASL) MRI. In addition, ASL provides a quantitative marker of neuronal activation in terms of perfusion signal, which is simultaneously acquired along with the BOLD signal. However, ASL for laminar imaging is challenging due to the lower SNR of the perfusion signal and higher RF power deposition i.e., specific absorption rate (SAR) of ASL sequences. In the present study, we present for the first time in humans, isotropic sub-millimetre spatial resolution functional perfusion images using Flow-sensitive Alternating Inversion Recovery (FAIR) ASL with a 3D-EPI readout at 7 T. We show that robust statistical activation maps can be obtained with perfusion-weighting in a single session. We observed the characteristic BOLD amplitude increase towards the superficial laminae, and, in apparent discrepancy, the relative perfusion profile shows a decrease of the amplitude and the absolute perfusion profile a much smaller increase towards the cortical surface. Considering the draining vein effect on the BOLD signal using model-based spatial “convolution”, we show that the empirically measured perfusion and BOLD profiles are, in fact, consistent with each other. This study demonstrates that laminar perfusion fMRI in humans is feasible at 7 T and that caution must be exercised when interpreting BOLD signal laminar profiles as direct representation of the cortical distribution of neuronal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriranga Kashyap
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (M-BIC), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail: (SK); (DI)
| | - Dimo Ivanov
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (M-BIC), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail: (SK); (DI)
| | - Martin Havlicek
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Laurentius Huber
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (M-BIC), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Benedikt A. Poser
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (M-BIC), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Kâmil Uludağ
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Institute for Basic Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, N Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
- Techna Institute & Koerner Scientist in MR Imaging, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
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18
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Bollmann S, Barth M. New acquisition techniques and their prospects for the achievable resolution of fMRI. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 207:101936. [PMID: 33130229 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
This work reviews recent advances in technologies for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the human brain and highlights the push for higher functional specificity based on increased spatial resolution and specific MR contrasts to reveal previously undetectable functional properties of small-scale cortical structures. We discuss how the combination of MR hardware, advanced acquisition techniques and various MR contrast mechanisms have enabled recent progress in functional neuroimaging. However, these advanced fMRI practices have only been applied to a handful of neuroscience questions to date, with the majority of the neuroscience community still using conventional imaging techniques. We thus discuss upcoming challenges and possibilities for fMRI technology development in human neuroscience. We hope that readers interested in functional brain imaging acquire an understanding of current and novel developments and potential future applications, even if they don't have a background in MR physics or engineering. We summarize the capabilities of standard fMRI acquisition schemes with pointers to relevant literature and comprehensive reviews and introduce more recent developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Bollmann
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Markus Barth
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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19
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Bruschi N, Boffa G, Inglese M. Ultra-high-field 7-T MRI in multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases: from pathology to clinical practice. Eur Radiol Exp 2020; 4:59. [PMID: 33089380 PMCID: PMC7578213 DOI: 10.1186/s41747-020-00186-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential for the early diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), for investigating the disease pathophysiology, and for discriminating MS from other neurological diseases. Ultra-high-field strength (7-T) MRI provides a new tool for studying MS and other demyelinating diseases both in research and in clinical settings. We present an overview of 7-T MRI application in MS focusing on increased sensitivity and specificity for lesion detection and characterisation in the brain and spinal cord, central vein sign identification, and leptomeningeal enhancement detection. We also discuss the role of 7-T MRI in improving our understanding of MS pathophysiology with the aid of metabolic imaging. In addition, we present 7-T MRI applications in other demyelinating diseases. 7-T MRI allows better detection of the anatomical, pathological, and functional features of MS, thus improving our understanding of MS pathology in vivo. 7-T MRI also represents a potential tool for earlier and more accurate diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolo' Bruschi
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giacomo Boffa
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Matilde Inglese
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
- Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, IRCCS, Largo Daneo 3, 16100, Genoa, Italy.
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Integrated VASO and perfusion contrast: A new tool for laminar functional MRI. Neuroimage 2020; 207:116358. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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21
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Liberman G, Poser BA. Minimal Linear Networks for Magnetic Resonance Image Reconstruction. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19527. [PMID: 31862922 PMCID: PMC6925115 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55763-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Modern sequences for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) trade off scan time with computational challenges, resulting in ill-posed inverse problems and the requirement to account for more elaborated signal models. Various deep learning techniques have shown potential for image reconstruction from reduced data, outperforming compressed sensing, dictionary learning and other advanced techniques based on regularization, by characterization of the image manifold. In this work we suggest a framework for reducing a “neural” network to the bare minimum required by the MR physics, reducing the network depth and removing all non-linearities. The networks performed well both on benchmark simulated data and on arterial spin labeling perfusion imaging, showing clear images while preserving sensitivity to the minute signal changes. The results indicate that the deep learning framework plays a major role in MR image reconstruction, and suggest a concrete approach for probing into the contribution of additional elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilad Liberman
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience and Maastricht Brain Imaging Center, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Benedikt A Poser
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience and Maastricht Brain Imaging Center, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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22
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Serrai H, Buch S, Oran O, Menon RS. Using variable-rate selective excitation (VERSE) radiofrequency pulses to reduce power deposition in pulsed arterial spin labeling sequence at 7 Tesla. Magn Reson Med 2019; 83:645-652. [PMID: 31483524 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is an established noninvasive MRI technique used for cerebral blood flow measurement, which generally suffers from a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The use of ultra-high fields to enhance sensitivity inevitably results in an increase in TR because of specific absorption rate (SAR) constraints, causing inadequate sampling of hemodynamic response in functional MRI, and adversely affecting concurrent measurement such as blood oxygen level dependent. To address this problem, variable-rate selective excitation (VERSE) radiofrequency (RF) pulses were used. METHODS The conventional (sinc) selective RF pulses of the Q2TIPS block in the PICORE pulsed ASL (PASL) sequence used for blood saturation were replaced by their equivalent VERSE RF waveforms. Nine healthy volunteers were scanned using the conventional and VERSE PASL sequences on a head-only 7T scanner operating in parallel transmit mode. RESULTS VERSE PASL sequence provides perfusion images similar to the conventional version, with comparable perfusion SNR (conventional, 3.33 ± 0.48; VERSE, 3.26 ± 0.55) and temporal SNR (conventional, 1.02 ± 0.20; VERSE, 1.05 ± 0.12) for TR = 3.5 seconds and 70 measurements. With shorter acquisition time (TR = 2.5 seconds), VERSE PASL sequence still provides similar results to those acquired using the conventional PASL sequence with longer TR = 3.5 seconds. CONCLUSION The use of VERSE RF pulses in the Q2TIPS block of a PASL sequence allowed for the reduction of RF power deposition and, consequently, an increase in the temporal resolution and/or perfusion SNR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hacene Serrai
- Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sagar Buch
- Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Omer Oran
- Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ravi S Menon
- Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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23
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Non-BOLD contrast for laminar fMRI in humans: CBF, CBV, and CMRO2. Neuroimage 2019; 197:742-760. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.07.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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24
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Carnevale L, Lembo G. Innovative MRI Techniques in Neuroimaging Approaches for Cerebrovascular Diseases and Vascular Cognitive Impairment. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E2656. [PMID: 31151154 PMCID: PMC6600149 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairment and dementia are recognized as major threats to public health. Many studies have shown the important role played by challenges to the cerebral vasculature and the neurovascular unit. To investigate the structural and functional characteristics of the brain, MRI has proven an invaluable tool for visualizing the internal organs of patients and analyzing the parameters related to neuronal activation and blood flow in vivo. Different strategies of imaging can be combined to obtain various parameters: (i) measures of cortical and subcortical structures (cortical thickness, subcortical structures volume); (ii) evaluation of microstructural characteristics of the white matter (fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity); (iii) neuronal activation and synchronicity to identify functional networks across different regions (functional connectivity between specific regions, graph measures of specific nodes); and (iv) structure of the cerebral vasculature and its efficacy in irrorating the brain (main vessel diameter, cerebral perfusion). The high amount of data obtainable from multi-modal sources calls for methods of advanced analysis, like machine-learning algorithms that allow the discrimination of the most informative features, to comprehensively characterize the cerebrovascular network into specific and sensitive biomarkers. By using the same techniques of human imaging in pre-clinical research, we can also investigate the mechanisms underlying the pathophysiological alterations identified in patients by imaging, with the chance of looking for molecular mechanisms to recover the pathology or hamper its progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Carnevale
- IRCCS Neuromed, Department of AngioCardioNeurology and Translational Medicine; 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Lembo
- IRCCS Neuromed, Department of AngioCardioNeurology and Translational Medicine; 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Medicine; University of Rome "Sapienza", 00185 Rome, Italy.
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25
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Engel M, Kasper L, Barmet C, Schmid T, Vionnet L, Wilm B, Pruessmann KP. Single‐shot spiral imaging at 7
T. Magn Reson Med 2018; 80:1836-1846. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Engel
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringETH Zurich and University of ZurichZurich Switzerland
| | - Lars Kasper
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringETH Zurich and University of ZurichZurich Switzerland
- Translational Neuromodeling Unit, Institute for Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Zurich and ETH ZurichZurich Switzerland
| | - Christoph Barmet
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringETH Zurich and University of ZurichZurich Switzerland
- Skope Magnetic Resonance Technologies AGZurich Switzerland
| | - Thomas Schmid
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringETH Zurich and University of ZurichZurich Switzerland
| | - Laetitia Vionnet
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringETH Zurich and University of ZurichZurich Switzerland
| | - Bertram Wilm
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringETH Zurich and University of ZurichZurich Switzerland
- Skope Magnetic Resonance Technologies AGZurich Switzerland
| | - Klaas P. Pruessmann
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringETH Zurich and University of ZurichZurich Switzerland
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26
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Haast RAM, Ivanov D, IJsselstein RJT, Sallevelt SCEH, Jansen JFA, Smeets HJM, de Coo IFM, Formisano E, Uludağ K. Anatomic & metabolic brain markers of the m.3243A>G mutation: A multi-parametric 7T MRI study. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2018; 18:231-244. [PMID: 29868447 PMCID: PMC5984598 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
One of the most common mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, the A to G transition at base pair 3243, has been linked to changes in the brain, in addition to commonly observed hearing problems, diabetes and myopathy. However, a detailed quantitative description of m.3243A>G patients' brains has not been provided so far. In this study, ultra-high field MRI at 7T and volume- and surface-based data analyses approaches were used to highlight morphology (i.e. atrophy)-, microstructure (i.e. myelin and iron concentration)- and metabolism (i.e. cerebral blood flow)-related differences between patients (N = 22) and healthy controls (N = 15). The use of quantitative MRI at 7T allowed us to detect subtle changes of biophysical processes in the brain with high accuracy and sensitivity, in addition to typically assessed lesions and atrophy. Furthermore, the effect of m.3243A>G mutation load in blood and urine epithelial cells on these MRI measures was assessed within the patient population and revealed that blood levels were most indicative of the brain's state and disease severity, based on MRI as well as on neuropsychological data. Morphometry MRI data showed a wide-spread reduction of cortical, subcortical and cerebellar gray matter volume, in addition to significantly enlarged ventricles. Moreover, surface-based analyses revealed brain area-specific changes in cortical thickness (e.g. of the auditory cortex), and in T1, T2* and cerebral blood flow as a function of mutation load, which can be linked to typically m.3243A>G-related clinical symptoms (e.g. hearing impairment). In addition, several regions linked to attentional control (e.g. middle frontal gyrus), the sensorimotor network (e.g. banks of central sulcus) and the default mode network (e.g. precuneus) were characterized by alterations in cortical thickness, T1, T2* and/or cerebral blood flow, which has not been described in previous MRI studies. Finally, several hypotheses, based either on vascular, metabolic or astroglial implications of the m.3243A>G mutation, are discussed that potentially explain the underlying pathobiology. To conclude, this is the first 7T and also the largest MRI study on this patient population that provides macroscopic brain correlates of the m.3243A>G mutation indicating potential MRI biomarkers of mitochondrial diseases and might guide future (longitudinal) studies to extensively track neuropathological and clinical changes.
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Key Words
- 15-WLT, 15-Words Learning Task
- 7T MRI
- ADL, Activities daily life
- ASL, Arterial spin labeling
- Brain
- CBF, Cerebral blood flow
- CN, Caudate nucleus
- CNR, Contrast-to-noise ratio
- CSF, Cerebral spinal fluid
- DN, Dentate nucleus
- EPI, Echo planar imaging
- FWHM, Full-width half maximum
- GM, Gray matter
- GP, Globus pallidus
- IQR, Interquartile range
- LDST, Letter-Digit Substitution test
- Leu, Leucine
- MANOVA, Multivariate analysis of variance
- MELAS, Mitochondrial encephalopathy lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes
- MIDD, Mitochondrial inherited deafness and diabetes
- Mitochondrial
- NMDAS, Newcastle Mitochondrial Disease Adult Scale
- OXPHOS, Oxidative phosphorylation
- Pu, Putamen
- Quantitative
- RF, Radio frequency
- RN, Red nucleus
- ROI, Region of interest
- SLEs, Stroke-like cortical episodes
- SN, Substantia nigra
- SNR, Signal-to-noise ratio
- T, Tesla
- UECs, Urine epithelial cells
- UHF, Ultra-high field
- WM, White matter
- WMLs, White matter lesions
- cGM, Cortical gray matter
- eTIV, Estimated total intracranial volume
- m.3243A>G
- mtDNA, Mitochondrial DNA
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy A M Haast
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200MD Maastricht, Netherlands; Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200MD Maastricht, Netherlands.
| | - Dimo Ivanov
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200MD Maastricht, Netherlands
| | | | - Suzanne C E H Sallevelt
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Centre, PO Box 5800, 6202AZ Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Jacobus F A Jansen
- Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre and School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, PO Box 5800, 6202AZ Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Hubert J M Smeets
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200MD Maastricht, Netherlands; NeMo Expertise Centre, Postbus 2060, 3000CB Rotterdam, Netherlands; Research School GROW, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200MD Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Irenaeus F M de Coo
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC, Postbus 2040, 3000CA Rotterdam, Netherlands; NeMo Expertise Centre, Postbus 2060, 3000CB Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Elia Formisano
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200MD Maastricht, Netherlands; Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200MD Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Kâmil Uludağ
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200MD Maastricht, Netherlands.
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