Reproducibility and variability of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging markers in cerebral small vessel disease.
File(s)
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Brain imaging is essential for the diagnosis and characterization of cerebral small vessel disease. Several magnetic resonance imaging markers have therefore emerged, providing new information on the diagnosis, progression, and mechanisms of small vessel disease. Yet, the reproducibility of these small vessel disease markers has received little attention despite being widely used in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. This review focuses on the main small vessel disease-related markers on magnetic resonance imaging including: white matter hyperintensities, lacunes, dilated perivascular spaces, microbleeds, and brain volume. The aim is to summarize, for each marker, what is currently known about: (1) its reproducibility in studies with a scan-rescan procedure either in single or multicenter settings; (2) the acquisition-related sources of variability; and, (3) the techniques used to minimize this variability. Based on the results, we discuss technical and other challenges that need to be overcome in order for these markers to be reliably used as outcome measures in future clinical trials. We also highlight the key points that need to be considered when designing multicenter magnetic resonance imaging studies of small vessel disease.
Date Issued
2016-05-11
Date Acceptance
2016-03-20
Citation
Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 2016, 36 (8), pp.1319-1337
ISSN
0271-678X
Publisher
SAGE
Start Page
1319
End Page
1337
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism
Volume
36
Issue
8
Copyright Statement
© Author(s) 2016
Sponsor
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Identifier
PII: 0271678X16647396
Grant Number
MR/M024903/1
Subjects
Magnetic resonance imaging
atrophy
brain volume
cerebral small vessel disease
lacunes
marker
microbleeds
perivascular spaces
repeatability
reproducibility
variability
white matter hyperintensities
Publication Status
Published