Arterial Spin Labeling: principles and current trends in the implementation of the method

Aim: To study the principles and new trends of contrast-free MR perfusion (ASL) based on literature data. Material and Methods. A retrospective overview of randomized clinical and crossover studies was performed by searching databases: PUBMED, EMBASE, LILACS, SCOPUS, eLIBRARY in English and Russian languages from 2015 to 2024 years. The keywords used for article selection included: arterial spin labeling (ASL), pulsed ASL, continuous ASL, pseudocontinuous ASL, diffusion-prepared ASL, artificial intelligence ASL, vessel-encoded ASL and non-contrast MR perfusion. Results. A total of 487 articles were analyzed, 50 of which were used to perform the review. The search results – blocks of articles were created with analysis the variations of the ASL method, its application possibilities, technical characteristics, and developmental trends of artificial intelligence in this field. Conclusion. The existing varieties of ASL allow for the selection and consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of each method for conducting diagnostic studies. The pCASL sequence is the most studied, reliable and affordable quantitative method, and the developing promising technical methods for collecting and processing results will expand the application of the method in clinical and research practices.