Voxel-wise correlations between cognition and cerebral blood flow using arterial spin-labeled perfusion MRI in patients with Alzheimer's disease: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

To analyze voxel-wise correlation between cerebral blood flow (CBF) measured using ASL-MRI and cognition in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODS

Forty-one patients diagnosed with AD or mild cognitive impairment due to AD were recruited for this study. CBF images were obtained using ASL-MRI (n = 41) with a post-labeling delay (PLD) of 1.5 and 2.5 s (PLD and PLD, respectively) using a 3 T scanner, in addition to brain perfusion SPECT with N-isopropyl-4-[I-123]iodoamphetamine (n = 28). Voxel-based analyses were performed for ASL-MRI and SPECT using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores as covariates. Differences in CBF between PLD and PLD were assessed using a paired t-test with SPM12.

RESULTS

Significant positive correlations were observed between MMSE scores and CBF at PLD in the right posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and both temporo-parietal association cortexes. At PLD, significant positive correlations were determined for MMSE scores and CBF in the superior parietal lobule and the right temporo-parietal association cortex. SPECT showed significant positive correlations in the PCC and both temporo-parietal association cortexes (right-side dominant). PLD showed significantly higher CBF than PLD in the proximal areas of vascular territories of the anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant positive correlations in CBF, measured with both ASL-MRI and SPECT, with cognition were found in the PCC and temporo-parietal association cortexes. PLD and PLD showed similar correlations with cognition, although the CBF images had significant differences.