Oxygen-enhanced MRI of the brain using 3D VIBE and 3D MR fingerprinting

Motivation: Inhaled oxygen leads to T1 shortening of CSF relatively quickly due to dissolved oxygen (oxygen-enhanced MRI, OE-MRI). Since CSF clearance mainly consists of rapid periarterial component (intramural periarterial drainage, IPAD) and slow perivascular component (glymphatic system), we assumed OE-MRI can represent rapid drainage from the interstitial fluid (ISF) in the brain. Goal(s): Our aim is to promote the adoption of OE-MRI by utilizing commonly employed sequence. Approach: We used 3D dynamic VIBE imaging as OE-MRI, and we also conducted 3D MR fingerprinting (MRF) to validate OE-MRI effect quantitatively. Results: 3D VIBE demonstrated rapid signal change in CSF, which was validated by 3D MRF. Impact: Oxygen-enhanced MRI (OE-MRI) utilizing 3D volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (3D VIBE) can indicate rapid drainage from interstitial fluid (ISF) into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via intramural periarterial drainage (IPAD) pathway.