Non-Invasive MRI Using Arterial Spin Labeling to Measure Blood Flow in the Human Eye for Retinal Disease Patients and Healthy Volunteers

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the use of arterial spin labeling ASL, a non-invasive MRI technique, to measure blood flow in the retinal tissue and the human eye. This study focuses on testing the precision and specificity of the MRI protocol for accurately measuring regional blood flow rBF and cerebral blood flow cBF without the need for contrast injections. The study includes both healthy volunteers and patients with retinal diseases such as thyroid associated orbitopathy TAO, inflammatory optic neuropathy ION, and ischemic optic neuropathy. Participants will undergo an MRI scan using the ASL technique as described in the study protocol. The study groups include healthy volunteers with normal vision, chronic patients with decreased visual acuity from the specified diseases, and patients in the acute phase of these diseases who will be examined again in the chronic phase. The study is non-randomized and does not involve masking or placebo controls. During the study, participants will have MRI assessments to measure blood perfusion in the retina at various time points, including repeatability measurements in volunteers over 2 months and perfusion measurements in patients during acute and chronic phases over 4 years. Researchers will monitor the safety and tolerability of the MRI procedure and observe changes in retinal blood flow. Participation involves following the study protocol and signing informed consent, with ongoing evaluation of retinal perfusion as the primary outcome.

Arterial Spin Labeling MRI for Assessing Blood Perfusion in the Human Eye Repeatability Study and Clinical Application