Visualization of Human Neurofluids Using Intrathecal 17O-Labeled Water and MRI: A Preliminary Study

Imaging of neurofluids dynamics is a promising aspect in clinical imaging. Only few methods of long-term water tracking in the brain have been described for diagnostic purposes. Herein, we examined water circulation between the CSF and ISF using an intrathecal injection of 17O-labeled water and 3T-MRI in two patients with dementia. Signal changes were detected in the brain parenchyma after the intrathecal administration. This visualization technique can detect the distribution of water tracers to the CSF and brain parenchyma and could become a clinical tool for evaluating neurofluids dynamics in humans.