High-resolution in-vivo imaging of glymphatic markers in frontotemporal lobar degeneration using CSF-STREAM at 7 Tesla

Motivation: Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is a disease characterized by pathological protein deposition, possibly due to impaired glymphatic clearance. Goal(s): To study the role of the glymphatic system in FTLD, by using CSF-STREAM to investigate three markers: CSF-mobility, fractional anisotropy and volume of perivascular spaces. Approach: 36 subjects (11 controls, 19 pre-symptomatic, 6 symptomatic) were scanned so far at 7T with CSF-STREAM. Results: We found no differences in glymphatic function between patients, presymptomatic mutation carriers and controls in this preliminary analysis. However, this is an ongoing study and more subjects are needed to draw firm conclusions on the actual role of glymphatics in FTLD. Impact: The use of CSF-STREAM to study impaired brain clearance may benefit the understanding of FTLD, in particular by studying PVS properties in different stages and subtypes of the disease.