Background and Purpose: Although total cerebral blood flow (tCBF) is known to be related to age, less is known regarding the associations between tCBF and the morphologic changes of the brain... Show moreBackground and Purpose: Although total cerebral blood flow (tCBF) is known to be related to age, less is known regarding the associations between tCBF and the morphologic changes of the brain accompanying cerebral aging. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether total cerebral blood flow (tCBF) is related to white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume and/or cerebral atrophy. Furthermore, we investigate whether tCBF should be expressed in mL/min, as was done in all previous MR studies, or in mL/100 mL/min, which yielded good results in precious SPECT, PET and perfusion MRI studies investigating regional cerebral blood flow. Materials and Methods: Patients were included from the nested MRI sub-study of the PROSPER study. Dual fast spin echo and FLAIR images were obtained in all patients. In addition, single slice phase contrast MR angiography was used for flow measurements in the internal carotids and vertebral arteries. tCBF was expressed in both mL/min and mL/100 mL/min. Results: We found a significant correlation between tCBF in mL/min and both age (r = -.124; p = p <=.001) and parenchymal volume (r = 0.430; p <=.001). We found no association between tCBF in mL/min and %-atrophy (r = -.077; p <=.103) or total WMH volume (r = -.069; p =.148). When tCBF was expressed in mL/100 mL/min the correlation between tCBF and age was no longer found (r = -.001; p =.985). Multivariate regression analyses corrected for age showed a significant correlation between tCBF in mL/100 mL/min and WMH volume (r = -.106; p =.044). No significant association between tCBF in mL/100 mL/min and %- atrophy was found. Conclusion: From this study we conclude that, when evaluating tCBF alterations due to various pathologies, tCBF should in mL/100 mL/min instead of mL/min. Furthermore, changes or differences in WMH volume should be accounted for. Show less
Aging of the brain was studied by comparing follow-up MRI scans in 554 persons aged 70-82 years. Mean interval time between these scans was three years and scans were looked for changes in cerebral... Show moreAging of the brain was studied by comparing follow-up MRI scans in 554 persons aged 70-82 years. Mean interval time between these scans was three years and scans were looked for changes in cerebral infarcts, white matter lesions, cerebral blood flow, and brain volume. Besides this, the preventive effect of pravastatin on these changes was studied. During the study time there was progression of cerebral infarcts, white matter lesions and there was decline of cerebral blood flow and progression of brain atrophy. Treatment with pravastatin 40 mg/daily did not have a protective effect on these changes. Show less
