Bayesian joint detection-estimation of cerebral vasoreactivity from ASL fMRI data

Med Image Comput Comput Assist Interv. 2013;16(Pt 2):616-24. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-40763-5_76.

Abstract

Although the study of cerebral vasoreactivity using fMRI is mainly conducted through the BOLD fMRI modality, owing to its relatively high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), ASL fMRI provides a more interpretable measure of cerebral vasoreactivity than BOLD fMRI. Still, ASL suffers from a low SNR and is hampered by a large amount of physiological noise. The current contribution aims at improving the recovery of the vasoreactive component from the ASL signal. To this end, a Bayesian hierarchical model is proposed, enabling the recovery of perfusion levels as well as fitting their dynamics. On a single-subject ASL real data set involving perfusion changes induced by hypercapnia, the approach is compared with a classical GLM-based analysis. A better goodness-of-fit is achieved, especially in the transitions between baseline and hypercapnia periods. Also, perfusion levels are recovered with higher sensitivity and show a better contrast between gray- and white matter.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Bayes Theorem
  • Blood Flow Velocity / physiology
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Brain Mapping / methods*
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Models, Neurological
  • Models, Statistical
  • Pattern Recognition, Automated / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity