Effects of eyes‐closed resting and eyes‐open conditions on cerebral blood flow measurement using arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of eyes‐closed resting and eyes‐open conditions on the measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF) using arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL MRI).MethodsThirty healthy volunteers underwent 3.0‐T MRI scans under two conditions—eyes‐closed resting and eyes‐open (stationary state)—1 week apart. CBF was measured using an asymmetric inversion slab technique with a three‐dimensional fast field echo sequence, which is a pulsed ASL technique, in the temporal lobe, precentral gyrus, limbic lobe, occipital lobe, and parietal lobe.ResultsCBF was not significantly different under eyes‐closed resting and eyes‐open states in the temporal lobe, precentral gyrus, limbic lobe, and parietal lobe. However, the CBF values of the occipital lobe were significantly lower under the eyes‐closed resting condition than under the eyes‐open condition. The means and standard deviations of CBF in the occipital lobe were 62.3 ± 7.9 ml/100 g/min for eyes‐open and 56.9 ± 7.9 ml/100 g/min for eyes‐closed resting. CBF obtained under eyes‐closed resting and eyes‐open conditions showed good reproducibility. In addition, the reproducibility and CBF measurement error were improved by excluding the occipital lobe.ConclusionsThe eyes‐closed resting condition affects the CBF measurement obtained by ASL MRI, particularly in the occipital lobe. To improve the measurement accuracy of ASL, measurements should be performed under the eyes‐closed resting condition in the clinical setting.