Abstract #0996

Quantification of trans-endothelial water exchange and vessel geometry using contrast-enhanced MRI and alterations in a transgenic rat model of Alzheimer’s disease

Ben Dickie¹, Hervé Boutin^1,2, Jose Ulloa^3,4, Laura M Parkes¹, and Geoff JM Parker³

¹Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom, ²The Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom, ³Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom, ⁴Bioxydyn, Manchester

MRI measurements of cerebrovascular function and structure are important for understanding neurodegenerative disease mechanisms. In this study, a novel contrast-enhanced multi-flip angle multi-echo (MFAME) MRI technique capable of simultaneously quantifying vessel permeability surface area product to water (PS_w), blood water population fraction (p_b), and contrast agent r₂* is presented, and applied to a transgenic rat model of Alzheimer’s disease (TgF344-AD). Transgenic rats exhibit higher p_b and lower PS_w in the hippocampus compared to wild-types, suggesting MFAME MRI may be sensitive to regional pathologic microvascular alterations in this model.

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