DCE-MRI measures of BBB permeability 6 months after clinical ischaemic stroke

Motivation: Chronic blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption may play a role in post-stroke cognitive decline, but the relationship has not been characterised in the clinical stroke population. Goal(s): Describe patterns of BBB permeability 6 to 9 months after clinical ischaemic stroke. Approach: Patients underwent DCE-MRI to measure BBB permeability (Ktrans) and blood plasma volume (vp) 6-9 months after ischaemic stroke and were compared to vascular risk-matched and healthy controls. Comprehensive cognitive testing is carried out yearly. Results: Spatial patterns of high Ktrans and vp were variable across the cohort. Ktrans in previously infarcted and hyperintense FLAIR tissue was significantly greater than in normal-appearing white matter. Impact: Our characterisation of DCE-MRI measurements of BBB permeability 6 months after clinical ischaemic stroke contributes to the understanding of vascular and immune pathophysiology in the months after stroke and its potential relationship with cognitive decline in the years after stroke.