Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI for Cognitive Decline
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2018-05-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine the value of Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI, a
measure of blood flow to the brain, in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and compare it to
existing measures. In particular, the investigators will compare ASL MRI to Positron Emission
Tomography (PET/CT), which measures brain metabolism reflecting how well cells in a patient's
brain are functioning. In addition, the investigators will assess the relationship of these
measures to specific protein levels associated with Alzheimer's Disease in the patient's
cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord) obtained by lumbar
puncture. By comparing the information that is available from these procedures to the
patient's performance on cognitive tests, the investigators hope to learn which procedures
most accurately reflect and assist in determination of the potential causes of cognitive
difficulties that arise with MCI, and thus, which are most useful in the clinical setting. In
particular, PET scans have been found to be very useful in diagnosis of MCI and Alzheimer's
Disease, but the investigators want to find out if they can get the same, or better,
information from an ASL MRI scan, which is less expensive and easier to acquire.