title: Blood-brain barrier imaging in human neuropathologies.
abstract: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is essential for normal function of the brain, and its role in many brain pathologies has been the focus of numerous studies during the last decades. Dysfunction of the BBB is not only being shown in numerous brain diseases, but animal studies have indicated that it plays a direct key role in the genesis of neurovascular dysfunction and associated neurodegeneration. As such evidence accumulates, the need for robust and clinically applicable methods for minimally invasive assessment of BBB integrity is becoming urgent. This review provides an introduction to BBB imaging methods in the clinical scenario. First, imaging modalities are reviewed, with a focus on dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). We then proceed to review image analysis methods, including quantitative and semi-quantitative methods. The advantages and limitations of each approach are discussed, and future directions and questions are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Physiology and Cell Biology, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Ronel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Veksler
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Soroka University Medical Center and the Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Ilan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shelef
authors.affiliation: Departments of Physiology and Cell Biology, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel; Department of Medical Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. Electronic address: alon.friedman@dal.ca.
authors.forename: Alon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Friedman
mesh_terms: D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods*; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000379:methods
keywords: Blood–brain barrier; Magnetic resonance; Neuropathologies; Neurovascular