Measuring resting cerebral haemodynamics using MRI arterial spin labelling and transcranial Doppler ultrasound: comparison in younger and older adults

Citation

Burley CV, Francis ST, Whittaker AC, Mullinger KJ & Lucas SJE (2021) Measuring resting cerebral haemodynamics using MRI arterial spin labelling and transcranial Doppler ultrasound: comparison in younger and older adults. Brain and Behavior, 11 (7), Art. No.: e02126. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.2126

Abstract
Introduction: Resting cerebral blood flow (CBF) and perfusion measures have been used to determine brain health. Studies showing variation in resting CBF with age and fitness level using different imaging approaches have produced mixed findings. We assess the degree to which resting CBF measures through transcranial Doppler (TCD) and arterial spin labelling (ASL) MRI provide complementary information in older and younger, fit and unfit cohorts. Methods: Thirty-five healthy volunteers (20 younger: 24±7y; 15 older: 66±7y) completed two experimental sessions (TCD/MRI). Aging and fitness effects within and between imaging modalities were assessed. Results: Middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv, TCD) was lower and transit time (MRI) slower in older compared with younger participants (p < 0.05). The younger group had higher grey matter cerebral perfusion (MRI) than the older group, albeit not significantly (p=0.13). Surprisingly, fitness effects in the younger group (decrease/increase in MCAv/transit time with fitness, respectively) opposed the older group (increase/decrease in MCAv/transit time). Whole cohort transit times correlated with MCAv (r=-0.63; p < 0.05), whereas tissue perfusion did not correlate with TCD measures. Conclusion: TCD and MRI modalities provide complementary resting CBF measures, with similar effects across the whole cohort and between subgroups (age/fitness) if metrics are comparable (e.g., velocity [TCD] vs transit time [MRI]).

Keywords
Aging; cerebral haemodynamics; MRI functional; multimodal imaging; cerebral blood flow; transcranial Doppler sonography

Journal
Brain and Behavior: Volume 11, Issue 7

People

Professor Anna Whittaker

Professor of Behavioural Medicine, Sport