A blood pool contrast aided T1 functional MRI in patients with brain tumors—a preliminary study

Abstract

IntroductionThe aim of our study was to determine the possibility of using a new functional technique: a T1-dependent sequence with administration of blood pool contrast agent (BPCA), in patients with brain tumors before and after surgical treatment. We also aimed to compare our results with those obtained using the fMRI technique, based on Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent (BOLD) contrast.MethodsFor each of our 14 oncologic patients (four before and ten after neurosurgical intervention), we obtained: a T1-3D GRE sequence (TR = 2.6 ms/TE = 1.1 ms/FA = 10°) after intravenous administration of BPCA (0.03 mmol/kg), as well as a T2*EPI sequence (TR = 3 s/TE = 50 ms/FA = 90°). Movement and/or tactile block type paradigms were carried out during both functional runs. SPM5 software was used for analysis.ResultsFor both functional techniques, maximum activations were localized in the same areas. There were no significant differences observed in the t values calculated for activations located in the primary motor cortex between groups of pre- and post-intervention patients (in the same functional technique). The mean values for T2* EPI examinations were 10.84 and 9.36, respectively. The mean t values for the T1 technique were lower, especially for the post-intervention patients (5.83 and 3.9, respectively).ConclusionsThe T1 technique can be used to detect functional areas in patients with brain tumors, pre-, and post-surgical intervention. This technique enables the evaluation of cortical centers that suffer from susceptibility artifacts when using the T2* BOLD technique. Activations found using both techniques have the same localization, with lower values for the T1 technique.

5-Lipoxygenase Metabolite 4-HDHA Is a Mediator of the Antiangiogenic Effect of ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

“…Thus, depending on dietary intake, changes in membrane microdomain composition can shift the substrate pool from w-6 PUFAs to w-3 PUFAs, which in turn influences the concentrations of bioactive lipid mediators that are synthesized during the retina's response to stress stimuli (5). To date, this change in lipid membrane composition is thought to exert its effects mainly by modulating the inflammatory state of the tissue: Proinflammatory 2-series prostaglandins and leukotrienes are derived from the w-6 PUFAs (arachidonic acid), whereas the anti-inflammatory neuro- protectins and D-series resolvins originate from the w-3 PUFA DHA, and the E-series resolvins and 3-series prostaglandins from EPA (11)(12)(13).…”