Harmonizing brain magnetic resonance imaging methods for vascular contributions to neurodegeneration. Link to paper on ScienceDirect. Authors Eric E.Smith, Geert Jan Biessels, François De Guio, Frank Erik de Leeuw, Simon Duchesne, Marco Düring, Richard Frayne, M. Arfan Ikram, Eric Jouvent, Bradley J. MacIntosh, Michael J. Thrippleton, Meike W. Vernooij, Hieab Adams, Walter H. Backes, Lucia Ballerini, Sandra E. Black, Christopher Chen, Rod Corriveau, Charles DeCarli, Steven M. Greenberg, M. Edip Gurol, Michael Ingrisch, Dominic Job, Bonnie Y.K. Lam, Lenore J. Launer, Jennifer Linn, Cheryl R. McCreary, Vincent C.T. Mok, Leonardo Pantoni, G. Bruce Pike, Joel Ramirez, Yael D. Reijmer, Jose Rafael Romero, Stefan Ropele, Natalia S. Rost, Perminder S. Sachdev, Christopher J.M. Scott, Sudha Seshadri, Mukul Sharma, Steven Sourbron, Rebecca M.E. Steketee, Richard H. Swartz, Robert van Oostenbrugge, Matthias van Osch, Sanneke van Rooden, Anand Viswanathan, David Werring, Martin Dichgans, Joanna M. Wardlaw Abstract Introduction: Many consequences of cerebrovascular disease are identifiable by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but variation in methods limits multicenter studies and pooling of data. The European Union Joint Program on Neurodegenerative Diseases (EU JPND) funded the HARmoNizing Brain Imaging MEthodS for VaScular Contributions to Neurodegeneration (HARNESS) initiative, with a focus on cerebral small vessel disease. Methods: Surveys, teleconferences, and an in-person workshop were used to identify gaps in knowledge and to develop tools for harmonizing imaging and analysis. Results: A framework for neuroimaging biomarker development was developed based on validating repeatability and reproducibility, biological principles, and feasibility of implementation. The status of current MRI biomarkers was reviewed. A website was created at www.harness-neuroimaging.org with acquisition protocols, a software database, rating scales and case report forms, and a deidentified MRI repository. Conclusions: The HARNESS initiative provides resources to reduce variability in measurement in MRI studies of cerebral small vessel disease. Keywords Cerebrovascular disease Stroke Dementia Magnetic resonance imaging Radiology Small vessel disease Related links Link to paper on ScienceDirect. HARNESS Professor Joanna Wardlaw Dr Michael Thrippleton Small vessel disease (SVD) Publication date 01 Apr, 2019
