Unveiling asymmetric magnetization transfer effects for BBB-ASL quantification in MCAO model rats

Motivation: This study explores the asymmetric magnetization transfer (MT) effects on recently developed blood-brain barrier integrity (BBB-ASL) technique, with a focus on different neck labeling gradient polarities. Goal(s): Validation of the asymmetric MT effect in BBB-ASL. Approach: BBB-ASL parameters of arrival transit time (ATT), intra-voxel transit time (ITT), exchange time (Tex) and CBF were estimated by our custom MATLAB program based on a two-compartment model. Results: Asymmetric MT effect changes not only depending on physical factors but also on the severity of the tissue. The difference might be related to changes in ITT and ATT. Impact: This study explores the asymmetric magnetization transfer (MT) effects on BBB-ASL with MCAO model rats. Asymmetric MT effect changes not only depending on physical factors such as magnetic field inhomogeneity but also on the severity of the tissue.