Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

A Four-Dimensional Computational Model of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Measurement of Subtle Blood-Brain Barrier Leakage

Version 1 : Received: 8 October 2020 / Approved: 9 October 2020 / Online: 9 October 2020 (12:44:33 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Bernal, J.; Valdés-Hernández, M. d.C.; Escudero, J.; Heye, A. K.; Sakka, E.; Armitage, P. A.; Makin, S.; Touyz, R. M.; Wardlaw, J. M.; Thrippleton, M. J. A Four-Dimensional Computational Model of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Measurement of Subtle Blood-Brain Barrier Leakage. NeuroImage, 2021, 230, 117786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.117786. Bernal, J.; Valdés-Hernández, M. d.C.; Escudero, J.; Heye, A. K.; Sakka, E.; Armitage, P. A.; Makin, S.; Touyz, R. M.; Wardlaw, J. M.; Thrippleton, M. J. A Four-Dimensional Computational Model of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Measurement of Subtle Blood-Brain Barrier Leakage. NeuroImage, 2021, 230, 117786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.117786.

Abstract

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) is increasingly used to quantify and map the spatial distribution of blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage in neurodegenerative disease, including cerebral small vessel disease and dementia. However, the subtle nature of leakage and resulting small signal changes make quantification challenging. While simplified one-dimensional simulations have probed the impact of noise, scanner drift, and model assumptions, the impact of spatio-temporal effects such as gross motion, k-space sampling and motion artefacts on parametric leakage maps has been overlooked. Moreover, evidence on which to base the design of imaging protocols is lacking due to practical difficulties and the lack of a reference method. To address these problems, we present an open-source computational model of the DCE-MRI acquisition process for generating four-dimensional Digital Reference Objects (DROs), using a high-resolution brain atlas and incorporating realistic patient motion, extra-cerebral signals, noise and k-space sampling. Simulations using the DROs demonstrated a dominant influence of spatio-temporal effects on both the visual appearance of parameter maps and on measured tissue leakage rates. The computational model permits a greater understanding of the sensitivity and limitations of subtle BBB leakage measurement and provides a non-invasive means of testing and optimising imaging protocols for future studies.

Supplementary and Associated Material

Keywords

digital reference object; blood-brain barrier permeability; DCE-MRI; Spatio-temporal imaging artefacts; endothelial dysfunction; cerebral small vessel disease

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Other

Comments (0)

We encourage comments and feedback from a broad range of readers. See criteria for comments and our Diversity statement.

Leave a public comment
Send a private comment to the author(s)
* All users must log in before leaving a comment
Views 0
Downloads 0
Comments 0


×
Alerts
Notify me about updates to this article or when a peer-reviewed version is published.
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here.