Methodological development for the noninvasive assessment of the blood-brain barrier permeability in diffuse gliomas

• Grant number: 19/06148-6
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: August 01, 2019 - July 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Radiology
• Principal researcher: Renata Ferranti Leoni
• Grantee: Renata Ferranti Leoni
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: Antonio Carlos dos Santos
• Associated scholarship(s): 20/01319-4 - Training for acquisition, processing, and analysis of non-invasive magnetic resonance images for evaluation of diffuse gliomas, BP.TT

Abstract

Intravoxel Incoherent Motion (IVIM) is a noninvasive diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging method, which can separate intravoxel signal into classical diffusion and perfusion-related contributions. Its combination with perfusion-weighted images (Arterial Spin Labeling, ASL) enables quantitative assessment of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability without using exogenous contrast agent (gadolinium). In addition to the possible adverse effects of gadolinium and its deposition on brain tissue, an estimation of BBB permeability with its use depends on factors such as venous administration protocol and anatomical vascularization of the patient. Therefore, the combination of ASL and IVIM has emerged as an assessment tool of both scientific and clinical interest. The main objective of the present project is to assess the BBB permeability in patients with diffuse glioma combining IVIM and ASL. We will implement an acquisition sequence, optimize a tool for data analysis and validate the method in twenty patients with diffuse glioma (grades II, III and IV), recruited at the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (HCFMRP - USP). Images will be processed and analyzed by researchers of InBrain research group, at the Departamento de Física da Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (DF - FFLCRP - USP). This project is part of the Núcleo de Apoio à Pesquisa em Física Médica, and needs financial resources to be developed. (AU)