ISMRM23 - Brain Drainage & Function

ISMRM & ISMRT Annual Meeting & Exhibition • 03-08 June 2023 • Toronto, ON, Canada

Brain Drainage & Function

Member-Initiated Symposium

Tuesday, 06 June 2023

716A/B

13:30 - 15:30

Moderators: Nikou Damestani & Kamil Uludag

Session Number: MIST-03

No CME/CE Credit

Organizers: Kamil Uludag & Wietske van der Zwaag

Overview:
This symposium was proposed by the Current Issues in Brain Function Study Group.

In the last decade, the importance of the brain clearance system of neurotoxins via cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and interstitial fluid (ISF) flow (called the glymphatic system) for brain tissue health has been established. It has been hypothesized that brain clearance and chemical exchanges in the tissue are relevant for the understanding of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Similarly, the impact of the glymphatic system on healthy brain function is unknown.

However, assessing the glymphatic system using non-invasive approaches, such as using MRI, has been proven to be very difficult. Currently, several cutting-edge MR techniques are under development to probe glymphatics in vivo, such as contrast-enhanced MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and perfusion-weighted imaging.

In this symposium, we will present the newest research into the relationship between the glymphatic system and brain function. The first talk will focus on the physiology of the glymphatic system and will also serve as an introduction into this complex topic. The second talk will review the current MRI approaches to measure glymphatics, their exciting potential, and limitations. The third talk will link glymphatics to brain function: its relevance for healthy brain function and role in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, as brain clearance is thought to peak during sleep, the last talk will explore findings on this topic using MRI and other imaging techniques.

Target Audience:
Brain function- and brain physiology-interested researchers and clinicians.

As a result of attending this course, participants should be able to:
- Explain the links between brain function and clearance;
- Describe glymphatics state of the art; and
- Identify the newest MRI approaches to study glymphatics.

13:30		Proposed Pathways & Physiology of Glymphatic Brain Clearance Susan van Veluw Massachusetts General Hospital
13:55		MRI Acquisitions in Glymphatics in Humans Lydiane Hirschler Leiden University Medical Center
14:20		Linking Glymphatics to Brain Activity Jeff Duyn National Institutes of Health
14:45		Imaging Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow Across Sleep & Wakefulness Laura Lewis Boston University