Assessing Slow Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow Dynamics with Displacement Encoded MRI

Motivation: Imaging of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow is crucial for understanding brain clearance mechanisms and their role in neurological disorders. The slow nature of CSF flow requires imaging methods sensitive to low velocities. Goal(s): We aim to demonstrate the potential of Displacement Encoding with Stimulated Echoes (DENSE) and Displacement Spectrum Imaging (DiSpect) to image CSF flow dynamics. Approach: We modified the DENSE and DiSpect pulse sequences to include T2-selective tagging. Displacements were measured in the ventricles and subarachnoid space of two volunteers. Results: Our results demonstrate that DENSE and DiSpect can capture CSF flow varying across cardiac and respiratory cycles, without large encoding gradients. Impact: This study demonstrates the potential of DENSE and DiSpect MRI to capture slow CSF flow dynamics, offering a valuable tool for detailed studies of CSF clearance mechanisms. This approach could enhance understanding of neurological conditions linked to brain clearance.