Measurement of deep gray matter perfusion using a segmented true-fast imaging with steady-state precession (True-FISP) arterial spin-labeling (ASL) method at 3T.
OBJECTIVE
To study the feasibility of using the MRI technique of segmented true-fast imaging with steady-state precession arterial spin-labeling (True-FISP ASL) for the noninvasive measurement and quantification of local perfusion in cerebral deep gray matter at 3T.


METHODS
A flow-sensitive alternating inversion-recovery (FAIR) ASL perfusion preparation was used in which the echo-planar imaging (EPI) readout was replaced with a segmented True-FISP data acquisition strategy. The absolute perfusion for six selected regions of deep gray matter (left and right thalamus, putamen, and caudate) were calculated in 11 healthy human subjects (six male, five female; mean age = 35.5 years +/- 9.9).


RESULTS
Preliminary measurements of the average absolute perfusion values at the six selected regions of deep gray matter are in agreement with published values for mean absolute cerebral blood flow (CBF) baselines acquired from healthy volunteers using positron emission tomography (PET).


CONCLUSIONS
Segmented True-FISP ASL is a practical and quantitative technique suitable to measure local tissue perfusion in cerebral deep gray matter at a high spatial resolution without the susceptibility artifacts commonly associated with EPI-based methods of ASL.
Grossman
Elan J
EJ
Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. ejg279@med.nyu.edu
Zhang
Ke
K
An
Jing
J
Voorhees
Abram
A
Inglese
Matilda
M
Ge
Yulin
Y
Oesingmann
Niels
N
Xu
Jian
J
McGorty
Kelly A
KA
Chen
Qun
Q
D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D013113:Spin Labels
D013113:Spin Labels