Glymphatic system dysfunction in cerebral infarction: advances and perspectives based on DTI-derived ALPS measures

Abstract

The glymphatic pathway plays a crucial role in the clearance of metabolic byproducts and solutes from cerebral tissue. Dysfunction of the glymphatic pathway has been associated with various neurological disorders, including ischemic stroke. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and the derived Analysis aLong the Perivascular Space (ALPS) have emerged as promising tools for evaluating glymphatic pathway function. This review aims to summarize the current evidence on the use of DTI-derived ALPS measures in assessing glymphatic dysfunction in ischemic stroke patients, and to explore their potential implications for diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment monitoring in this patient population.