Arterial Spin Labelled MR imaging of cerebral blood flow in children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Arterial Spin Labelled MRI - an imaging biomarker of cerebral blood flow in children
IRAS ID
129751
Contact name
Laurence Abernethy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research & Development Alder Hey Childrens Hospital
Research summary
There is a real need for non-invasive, repeatable, quantitative imaging of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in children. Alterations in CBF are implicated in many of the neurological pathologies that affect children, and hence CBF imaging could be useful to aid diagnosis and prognosis and to monitor disease and treatment response. Arterial Spin Labelling (ASL) is a non-invasive MRI technique allowing quantification of cerebral blood flow (CBF) that we believe can meet this need. The current alternative is to use gadolinium-based contrast agents which carry the risk of gadolinium toxicity, particularly nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, and are generally not licensed for use in infants under the age of 2. In the adult brain, consensus is now being reached as to the most appropriate ASL scanning protocols to use and analysis approaches to take. However, there is little data available in the infant brain, and differences in the dynamics of blood flow at different ages [4] may lead to inaccuracies if the adult protocols are applied. The principle aim of this work is to establish accurate acquisition and analysis protocols for children at a range of developmental stages, from premature babies to neonates, young infants and older children.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1168
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jul 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion