Magnetic resonance imaging of blood–brain barrier permeability in ischemic stroke using diffusion-weighted arterial spin labeling in rats

Abstract

Diffusion-weighted arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging has recently been proposed to quantify the rate of water exchange (Kw) across the blood–brain barrier in humans. This study aimed to evaluate the blood–brain barrier disruption in transient (60 min) ischemic stroke using Kw magnetic resonance imaging with cross-validation by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and Evans blue histology in the same rats. The major findings were: (i) at 90 min after stroke (30 min after reperfusion), group Kw magnetic resonance imaging data showed no significant blood–brain barrier permeability changes, although a few animals showed slightly abnormal Kw. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging confirmed this finding in the same animals. (ii) At two days after stroke, Kw magnetic resonance imaging revealed significant blood–brain barrier disruption. Regions with abnormal Kw showed substantial overlap with regions of hyperintense T2 (vasogenic edema) and hyperperfusion. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and Evans blue histology confirmed these findings in the same animals. The Kw values in the normal contralesional hemisphere and the ipsilesional ischemic core two days after stroke were: 363 ± 17 and 261 ± 18 min−1, respectively (P < 0.05, n = 9). Kw magnetic resonance imaging is sensitive to blood–brain barrier permeability changes in stroke, consistent with dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and Evans blue extravasation. Kw magnetic resonance imaging offers advantages over existing techniques because contrast agent is not needed and repeated measurements can be made for longitudinal monitoring or averaging.