MATLAB-based framework for simulating DCE-MRI of subtle blood-brain barrier breakdown

Abstract

MATLAB scripts designed to simulate a Dynamic-Contrast Enhanced (DCE)-MRI experiment with Patlak model analysis for subtle blood-brain barrier leakage pathologies e.g. cerebral small vessel disease. This simulation framework will effectively model the vascular and tissue concentrations of a gadolinium-based contrast agent over the time course of a DCE-MRI sequence, and their contributions to an 'acquired' MR signal. Patlak analysis is used to estimate permeability-surface area product (PS) and blood plasma volume fraction (vp) from the simulated signals and the percentage enhancement. Simulations are accessible via a GUI, and may be used to identify and predict the effects of potential sources of systematic error on conventional PS and vp quantification and assess the impact of targeted modifications to MR acquisition and processing. The GUI allows for the modification of several biological and technical parameters in typical DCE-MRI, such as cerebral blood plasma flow, compartmental water exchange, temporal resolution, and field inhomogeneity, to assess their effect on quantitative measures.