Dual modal photoacoustic/ultrasound localization (PAUL) imaging for monitoring blood brain barrier disruption (Conference Presentation)

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a crucial role in normal brain functioning. Impairment of the BBB is linked to various neurological disorders. Therefore, monitoring BBB disruption is essential for understanding its pathogenesis and guiding therapeutic interventions. However, current imaging techniques lack the ability to provide detailed physiological responses while assessing BBB integrity. We introduce a deep learning-enhanced multiparametric super-resolution photoacoustic/ultrasound localization (PAUL) imaging method using a clinical ultrasound linear array for BBB disruption monitoring. This technique enables comprehensive whole-brain imaging, capturing changes in blood flow and oxygenation, and mapping BBB permeability tracers. It visualizes microvascular structures down to 22 µm and tracks blood flow dynamics at the single microvasculature level. Our results demonstrate that focused ultrasound (FUS)-mediated BBB disruption results in decreased blood flow and flow rate, especially in regions with high tracer retention, highlighting PAUL imaging's potential in non-invasive BBB monitoring and advancing the management of BBB dynamics.