Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008.
Hunan Clinical Research Center for Cerebrovascular Diseases, Changsha 410008.
Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2023 Aug 28;48(8):1260-1266. doi: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2023.230091.
The glymphatic system can remove metabolic wastes from the brain, which plays a significant role in maintaining the homeostasis of the central nervous system. It is an important basis for advanced cognitive functions such as learning and memory. Studies have analyzed the function of glymphatic system by diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) recently. Compared with other invasive examinations that require fluorescent tracer technique or the injection of contrast agents, DTI-ALPS can evaluate the hydromechanics of the glymphatic system via quantifying the diffusion rate of water molecules in different directions, which turns out to be a non-invasive in vivo neuroimaging method. The ALPS-index calculated by the DTI-ALPS method is significantly correlated with the cognitive function in diseases of central nervous system and other system and can reflect the dynamic changes of diseases. In general, ALPS-index is expected to become a novel neuroimaging biomarker for predicting prognosis and clinical effects.
脑内的“类淋巴系统”能够清除代谢废物，对维持中枢神经系统内环境稳定具有重要作用，是学习记忆等高级认知功能的重要基础。近年来，通过扩散张量成像分析沿血管周围间隙（DTI-ALPS）的方法对脑内的“类淋巴系统”的功能进行了分析。与需要荧光示踪技术或注射对比剂等有创检查方法相比，DTI-ALPS 可通过量化水分子在不同方向上的扩散率，评估“类淋巴系统”的流体力学，是一种非侵入性的活体神经影像学方法。通过 DTI-ALPS 方法计算的 ALPS 指数与中枢神经系统疾病和其他系统疾病的认知功能显著相关，并能反映疾病的动态变化。总的来说，ALPS 指数有望成为预测预后和临床效果的新型神经影像学生物标志物。
