A streamlined acquisition for mapping baseline brain oxygenation using quantitative BOLD

摘要: Quantitative BOLD (qBOLD) is a non-invasive MR technique capable of producing quantitative measurements the haemodynamic and metabolic properties brain. Here we propose refinement qBOLD methodology, dubbed streamlined-qBOLD, in order to provide clinically feasible method for mapping baseline brain oxygenation. In streamlined-qBOLD confounding signal contributions are minimised during data acquisition through application (i) Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) preparation remove cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) contamination, (ii) Gradient Echo Slice Excitation Profile Imaging (GESEPI) reduce effect macroscopic magnetic field gradients (iii) an Asymmetric Spin (ASE) pulse sequence directly measure reversible transverse relaxation rate, R2'. Together these features simplify model, improving robustness resultant parametric maps. A theoretical optimisation framework was used optimise parameters relation noise ratio. healthy subject group (n = 7) apparent elevations R2' caused by partial volumes CSF were shown be reduced with nulling. Significant decreases (p < 0.001) deoxygenated blood volume 0.01) seen cortical grey matter, across group, suppression. oxygenation parameter maps calculated using modelling compared literature values.