Measuring cerebral blood flow using magnetic resonance imaging techniques

Magnetic resonance imaging techniques measuring CBF have developed rapidly in the last decade, resulting in a wide range of available methods. The most successful approaches are based either on dynamic tracking of a bolus of a paramagnetic contrast agent (dynamic susceptibility contrast) or on arterial spin labeling. This review discusses their principles, possible pitfalls, and potential for absolute quantification and outlines clinical and neuroscientific applications.