Age-Related Hemodynamic Variations in Children: A Study Using Single- and Multi-delay ASL

Motivation: There is lacking understanding of hemodynamic changes in children and their impact on MRI perfusion quantification. Goal(s): We aim to investigate age-related hemodynamic changes in developing brain. Approach: Perfusion parameters from single- and multi-delay Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI of MR-negative children are analyzed. Results: We found significant age-dependent differences between perfusion quantification with single- and multi-delay approaches. ATT followed a non-linear distribution in age and was heterogeneous across vascular territories Our findings support the use of multi-delay ASL for improved perfusion assessment in children and provide better understanding of hemodynamic changes in developing brain. Impact: This is the first study to investigate age-related arterial transit-time changes in children and their impact on perfusion quantification with perfusion MRI. Our findings prompt improved understanding of age-related perfusion changes and standardization of hemodynamic parameters in the pediatric cohort.