Arterial spin labeling and altered cerebral blood flow patterns in the minimally conscious state.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To use arterial spin labeling (ASL) to compare cerebral blood flow (CBF) patterns in minimally conscious state (MCS) patients with those in normal controls in an observational study design.

Methods

Subjects meeting MCS criteria and normal controls were identified. A pseudocontinuous ASL sequence was performed with subjects and controls in the resting awake state. Multiple CBF values for 10 predetermined regions of interest were sampled and average CBF was calculated and compared between controls and subjects.

Results

Ten normal controls were identified, with ages ranging from 26 to 54 years. Four subjects met the MCS criteria and received an ASL study, with one patient receiving a second study at a later date. Subjects ranged in age from 19 to 58 years and h

SUBMITTER: Liu AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3198975 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature