Age dependent variation of cerebral perfusion assessed by magnetic resonance continuous arterial spin labeling technique

Arterial spin labeling is a MR technique for the measurement of perfusion that exploits as diffusible tracer the arterial blood water spins. Since ASL technique provides a completely non-invasive way to measure quantitatively cerebral perfusion, it may be especially suitable for pediatric studies, related to perfusion alterations. The aim of this work is to study the behavior of cerebral perfusion changes with age and to measure values of normal perfusion early in life. In fact, the determination of changing perfusion patterns accompanying normal brain development is a necessary prelude to evaluate perfusion in child diseases. Our results show a considerable gap, rather than a gradual decrease, in cerebral perfusion between children and adult subjects, especially in the gray matter, and agree with others studies conducted with different imaging techniques. One can hypothesize that this significant discontinuity should be the expression of the passage from juvenile to adult age. ASL technique seems to be a feasible method for perfusion measurement and demonstrate its sensibility also in detecting the neurophysiological changes occurring during brain maturation.