Evaluation of the Glymphatic System Using the DTI-ALPS Index in Patients with Spontaneous Intracerebral Haemorrhage

We evaluated the function of the human glymphatic system (GS) in patients with spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (sICH) using diffusion tensor imaging analysis along with the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS). Twenty patients with sICH and 31 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited for analysis. The results showed that DTI-ALPS index on the lesion side was significantly decreased, but not in the contralateral side in sICH or in HCs. And, the decreased DTI-ALPS index was significantly correlated with disease duration. This study confirmed the presence of GS dysfunction only ipsilateral to the lesion, indicating the GS may be a separate system in bilateral hemispheres.