Cerebral Blood Flow in Alzheimer's disease: a noninvasive assessment using magnetic resonance imaging.

• Grant number: 25/06545-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Radiology
• Principal Investigator: Renata Ferranti Leoni
• Grantee: Ana Flávia Braz Doná
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia in the world, generating a significant social and economic impact. Given this, early diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression become essential. This project aims to study the vascular hypothesis of this dementia based on investigations of altered cerebral blood perfusion in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. Using arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging, the study seeks to regionally map the cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the analyzed patients, comparing them with controls and correlating them with cognitive impairment. The study will use data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), including participants at different stages of the Alzheimer's continuum. The analysis will include estimates of regional CBF values, an Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) to compare the obtained values among different groups (CN, MCI, and AD), and an investigation of the relationship between CBF and cognitive scores using Pearson's Correlation. The expected outcomes include determining perfusion patterns related to AD progression and cognitive decline detecting regions with early changes that may assist in risk stratification for disease development. This project aims to expand the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of AD, contributing to the advancement of more effective clinical strategies and improving treatment and quality of life for affected individuals.