%0 Journal Article
%T Quantitative imaging assessment of blood-brain barrier permeability in humans
%A Yoash Chassidim
%A Ronel Veksler
%A Svetlana Lublinsky
%A Gaby S Pell
%A Alon Friedman
%A Ilan Shelef
%J Fluids and Barriers of the CNS
%D 2013
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/2045-8118-10-9
%X The blood¨Cbrain barrier (BBB) is a tightly-regulated, structural and functional barrier that controls the extracellular neuronal environment within the brain and spinal cord by limiting the free passage of ions and large molecules into the CNS. BBB functions are often impaired in common neurological disorders, including stroke, traumatic injuries, intracerebral hemorrhage, tumors, epilepsy and neurodegenerative disorders. BBB dysfunction is often associated with increased vascular permeability to plasma constituents, including large proteins, and results in water influx and brain edema [1]. Recent animal experiments demonstrated that serum proteins may serve as direct signaling mechanism within the brain resulting in the activation of astrocytes and the brain immune system, with a consequent neuronal hyperexcitability and delayed neurodegeneration [2]. These studies have highlighted BBB dysfunction as a potential biomarker for neurological disorders, with the possibility for predicting complications and neurological outcome after an insult and for determining novel treatments. Recent advancements in imaging methods now make it possible to establish sensitive and quantitative methods for the assessment of BBB permeability, most of which are MRI based.Methods based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans following intravenous injection of MR-visible contrast agents containing gadolinium are currently the gold standard and most commonly used non-invasive imaging technique for the assessment of BBB impairment in both clinical [3-5] and preclinical studies [6]. One of the main advantages of MRI is the ability to produce multi-parametric information, allowing high-resolution anatomical information, and assessment of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and BBB integrity using the same imaging modality [7]. BBB assessment and permeability quantification are carried out by either using semi-quantitative methods, where statistical differences between scans before and after tracer inj
%K Blood¨Cbrain barrier
%K Magnetic resonance imaging
%K Permeability
%K Brain insult
%U http://www.fluidsbarrierscns.com/content/10/1/9