Literature Archive.
A curated archive of foundational research on mesoscopic brain vasculature. While primarily focused on meso-vessels, this selection includes works where such structures appear as "peripheral" findings as well. This collection is limited to papers I have authored or studied in depth.
Did I miss a paper? Contact: <[TODO]>.
Introduced the meso-veins protocol. A multi shot multi echo 3D EPI T2*-weighted MRI protocol for imaging the entire human brain under 7 minutes at 7 Tesla.
Prospective motion correction method servo navigators are helpful for getting sharper meso-vein images in untrained but cooperative participants (e.g. clinical populations).
While I was imaging human meso-vessels, Autio et al. was achieving similar images in macaques. This manuscript stands as an invaluable milestone, providing deep insights into T2* contrast and the nuances of cortical meso-vessel analysis.
This paper inspired me to try 3D EPI. Great paper with plety of deep insights on T2* imaging.
This was my first time seeing meso-vessels so clearly on 50 μm isotropic post mortem human brain stem MRI data (in Figure 5). I was mesmerized. My interest in meso-vessels started to take root at this moment.
This work introduces a human venous atlas derived from 0.6 mm isotropic T2* imaging across a 20 participants. While I could not see any direct images of meso-veins in this paper, it deserves acknowledgment as a milestone for atlassing.
This paper holds significant personal weight. I vividly remember Valentin (the first author) visiting my office in 2018, telling me, 'I have something I’m sure you’ll like'. We sat down to browse the first T2*-weighted images he had acquired at 9.4 T in Maastricht at 0.35 mm isotropic resolution (in vivo, human). While we were initially mesmerized by the clarity of the Stria of Gennari, I found myself fixated on the 'dark sticks' piercing the gray matter. I can trace my obsession with meso-veins back to that specific afternoon. If you’re reading this: thank you, Valentin.
Section 2.2 under "What affects the timing of responses across laminae?" covers intracortical angioarchitecture.
This paper shows high BOLD fMRI signal correlations around meso-veins in humans while connecting it to the results attained in rats.
This paper has an early form of vessel proximity analysis using submillimeter human fMRI data.
Good resource for the clinical examples of 3D EPI.
This paper shows BOLD fMRI signal is higher at intraortical meso-veins while CBV fMRI signal is higher at intracortical meso-arteries (in rats).
The first paper with openly accessible dataset providing 0.35 mm isotropic whole-brain resolution. I vividly remember the first time I downloaded these images; the level of vascular detail was truly mesmerizing. While the 42-minute acquisition time remains a significant hurdle for routine use, the work is a profound inspiration—a flagship for open science that signals a transformative shift in neuroimaging accessibility.
Retrospectively gated 2D phase contrast Qflow sequence (0.3 × 0.3 × 2 mm3 voxels, ~7 min duration, Philips 7 T scanner).
A very informative review written by the inventor of the fMRI.
A compelling account of the Brain vs. Vein debate of 2000s. This is essential reading for any fMRI researcher, providing the necessary context to understand why we must still carefully distinguish the source of our signal from its venous carriers.
While not primarily a vascular study, Figure 5 provides a valuable insight on T2* sensitivity: intracortical meso-veins remain visible even when their orientation is rotated 90∘ relative to the main magnetic field (B0). This offers an empirical answer to a frequent query regarding orientation dependency of the meso-vein visibility.
This paper shows 3D EPI which was being use in fMRI at that point is also a powerful technique for anatomical imaging. Their whole brain 0.5 mm isotropic images shows clear hints of meso-veins (7 T MRI, Philips).
A must-read, foundational manuscript. This is an essential for anyone seeking to master the relationship between veins and fMRI.
This paper demonstrates how fMRI activity map onto the venous configuration by showing high percent signal change is localized within pial veins. The results highlight the spatial constraints angioarchitecture imposes on functional interpretation.
Shows sound stimulus activation maps overlaid on vessel images. Optical imaging, in vivo, chinchillas cortex.
With De Humani Corporis Fabrica, Vesalius revolutionized medicine, mapping the human 'fabric' through unprecedented high-fidelity illustrations. Including the human brain vasculature.