Higher intracranial arterial pulsatility is associated with presumed imaging markers of the glymphatic system: An explorative study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120524
• Publication Date: 2024-01-24T17:51:08Z
• Authors: Linyun Xie; Yao Zhang; Hui Hong; Shan Xu; Lei Cui; Shuyue Wang; Jixuan Li; Lingyun Liu; Miao Lin; Xiao Luo; Kaicheng Li; Qingze Zeng; Minming Zhang; Ruiting Zhang; Peiyu Huang
• Keywords: Glymphatic System; Perivascular space

Arterial pulsation has been suggested as a key driver of paravascular cerebrospinal fluid flow, which is the foundation glymphatic clearance. However, whether intracranial arterial pulsatility associated with markers in humans not yet studied. Seventy-three community participants were enrolled study. 4D phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to quantify hemodynamic parameters including flow index (PIflow) and area (PIarea) from 13 major intracerebral segments. Three presumed neuroimaging system measured: dilation perivascular space (PVS), diffusivity along (ALPS), volume fraction free water (FW) white matter. We explored relationships between PIarea, PIflow, markers, controlling for related covariates. PIflow internal carotid artery (ICA) C2 segment (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.10, per 0.01 increase PI) C4 1.01-1.09) positively basal ganglia PVS, ICA 1.06, 1.02-1.10) correlated PVS ALPS basilar (β, -0.273, p, 0.046) PIarea -0.239, 0.041) C7 segments -0.238, 0.037). Intracranial system, but results consistent across different markers. Further studies are warranted confirm these findings.