Arterial Spin Labeling Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Healthy Adults: Mathematical Model Fitting to Assess Age-Related Perfusion Pattern

OBJECTIVE To investigate the age-dependent changes in regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) in healthy adults by fitting mathematical models to imaging data. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this prospective study, 90 healthy adults underwent pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling imaging of the brain. Regional CBF values were extracted from the arterial spin labeling images of each subject. Multivariable regression with the Akaike information criterion, link test, and F test (Ramsey's regression equation specification error test) was performed for 7 models in every brain region to determine the best mathematical model for fitting the relationship between CBF and age. RESULTS Of all 87 brain regions, 68 brain regions were best fitted by cubic models, 9 brain regions were best fitted by quadratic models, and 10 brain regions were best fitted by linear models. In most brain regions (global gray matter and the other 65 brain regions), CBF decreased nonlinearly with aging, and the rate of CBF reduction decreased with aging, gradually approaching 0 after approximately 60. CBF in some regions of the frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes increased nonlinearly with aging before age 30, approximately, and decreased nonlinearly with aging for the rest of life. CONCLUSION In adults, the age-related perfusion patterns in most brain regions were best fitted by the cubic models, and age-dependent CBF changes were nonlinear.