Time-encoded ASL reveals lower cerebral blood flow in the early AD continuum

Falcón, Carles; Minguillón, Carolina; Fauria, Karine; Cascales Lahoz, Diego; Contador, José; Fernández-Lebrero, Aida; Navalpotro-Gómez, Irene; Puig-Pijoan, Albert; Grau, Oriol (Grau Rivera); Suárez-Calvet, Marc; Gispert, Juan Domingo

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/alz.14059

Time-encoded ASL reveals lower cerebral blood flow in the early AD continuum

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Falcon C, Montesinos P, Václavů L, Kassinopoulos M, Minguillon C, Fauria K, et al. Time-encoded ASL reveals lower cerebral blood flow in the early AD continuum. Alzheimers Dement. 2024 Aug;20(8):5183-97. DOI: 10.1002/alz.14059

Abstract

Introduction: Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is reduced in cognitively impaired (CI) Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. We checked the sensitivity of time-encoded arterial spin labeling (te-ASL) in measuring CBF alterations in individuals with positive AD biomarkers and associations with relevant biomarkers in cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals. Methods: We compared te-ASL with single-postlabel delay (PLD) ASL in measuring CBF in 59 adults across the AD continuum, classified as CU amyloid beta (Aβ) negative (-), CU Aβ positive (+), and CI Aβ+. We sought associations of CBF with biomarkers of AD, cerebrovascular disease, synaptic dysfunction, neurodegeneration, and cognition in CU participants. Results: te-ASL was more sensitive at detecting CBF reduction in the CU Aβ+ and CI Aβ+ groups. In CU participants, lower CBF was associated with altered biomarkers of Aβ, tau, synaptic dysfunction, and neurodegeneration. Discussion: CBF reduction occurs early in the AD continuum. te-ASL is more sensitive than single-PLD ASL at detecting CBF changes in AD. Highlights: Lower CBF can be detected in CU subjects in the early AD continuum. te-ASL is more sensitive than single-PLD ASL at detecting CBF alterations in AD. CBF is linked to biomarkers of AD, synaptic dysfunction, and neurodegeneration.