Comparing Cerebral Blood Volume From Non-Invasive Hyperoxic BOLD-fMRI to Contrast-Agent-Based Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast MRI

Motivation: Dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI is the clinically most established technique for measurements of cerebral blood volume (CBV) but requires intravenous injection of a Gadolinium-based contrast agent, which limits applicability. Goal(s): We aim to explore the utility of hyperoxic BOLD-fMRI as a non-invasive alternative for CBV quantification. Approach: We plan to compare CBV from hyperoxic BOLD-fMRI and DSC MRI in an elderly cohort of at least 12 subjects. To test our hypotheses of similar structural contrast and fixed ratio between (r)CBV values from both methods (considering their differences in targeted vasculature), we will conduct visual, quantitative, and statistical analyses. Impact: We plan to evaluate the applicability of hyperoxic BOLD-fMRI as a method for CBV quantification. If successful, this technique could present a non-invasive alternative to contrast-agent-based DSC MRI. A direct comparison of both techniques has not been done before.