Patlak plots of Gd‐DTPA MRI data yield blood–brain transfer constants concordant with those of 14C‐sucrose in areas of blood–brain opening

The blood‐to‐brain transfer rate constant (Ki) of Gd‐DTPA was determined in MRI studies of a rat model of transient cerebral ischemia. The longitudinal relaxation rate, R1, was estimated using repeated Look‐Locker measurements. A model‐independent analysis of ΔR1, the Patlak plot, produced maps of Ki for Gd‐DTPA and the distribution volume of the mobile protons (Vp) with intravascular‐Gd changed R1's. The Ki's of Gd‐DTPA were estimated in regions of interest with blood–brain barrier (BBB) opening (regions of interest, ROIs) and compared to those of 14C‐sucrose determined shortly thereafter by quantitative autoradiography. The Ki's for both Gd‐DTPA and sucrose were much higher than normal within the ROIs (n = 7); linear regression of Ki for Gd‐DTPA vs. Ki for sucrose yielded a slope of 0.43 ± 0.11 and r2 = 0.72 (P = 0.01). Thus, Ki for Gd‐DTPA varied in parallel with, but was less than, Ki for sucrose. In the ROIs, mean Vp was 0.071 ml g−1 and much higher than mean vascular volume estimated by dynamic‐contrast‐enhancement (0.013 ml g−1) or mean Vp in contralateral brain (0.015 ml g−1). This elevated Vp may reflect increased capillary permeability to water. In conclusion, Ki can be reliably calculated from Gd‐DTPA‐MRI data by Patlak plots. Magn Reson Med 50:283–292, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.