Application of diffusion weighted multiple boli ASL to a murine model of human African trypanosomiasis

Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a parasitic disease originating in sub-Saharan Africa. There is limited information about the changes in the blood brain barrier (BBB) during this infection. This study is the first to apply diffusion weighted ASL (DWASL) to examine changes in BBB impairment. No significant changes in water exchange across the BBB were found during the infection, even when a loss of barrier integrity was seen using Contrast Enhanced MRI (Gd-DTPA) during the late stage of the disease. Furthermore, using multiple boli ASL (mbASL), changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) were found during the course of infection. Overall, this study highlights the need for further study of the BBB during HAT infection to understand the complex mechanisms behind impairment.

Automated summary

This study is the first to use diffusion weighted ASL (DWASL) to examine changes in the blood brain barrier (BBB) during Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) infection. The study found no significant changes in water exchange across the BBB, even when a loss of barrier integrity was observed during the late stage of the disease using Contrast Enhanced MRI (Gd-DTPA). Furthermore, using multiple boli ASL (mbASL), changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) were identified during HAT infection. Overall, this study highlights the importance of further investigating the BBB during HAT infection to understand the complex mechanisms involved.