Ventricular-brain ratio

Ventricular-brain ratio (VBR) is a neuroimaging measurement used to assess the size of the brain's ventricles relative to the overall size of the brain. This ratio is particularly significant in the study of neurological disorders and conditions that affect brain structure, such as hydrocephalus, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease.

Measurement

The VBR is typically calculated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans. The process involves measuring the width of the lateral ventricles and comparing it to the width of the brain at the same level. The formula for VBR is:

VBR = (Width of lateral ventricles) / (Width of brain)

Clinical Significance

Hydrocephalus

In patients with hydrocephalus, the VBR is often elevated due to the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles, leading to their enlargement. Monitoring the VBR can help in diagnosing and managing this condition.

Schizophrenia

Research has shown that individuals with schizophrenia may have a higher VBR compared to healthy controls. This finding supports the hypothesis that structural brain abnormalities are associated with the disorder.

Alzheimer's Disease

In Alzheimer's disease, an increased VBR may indicate brain atrophy, which is a hallmark of the disease. Measuring the VBR can aid in the early detection and monitoring of disease progression.

Related Measurements

Other neuroimaging measurements related to VBR include the Evans' index, which is another method for assessing ventricular size, and the brain parenchymal fraction (BPF), which measures the proportion of brain tissue relative to the total intracranial volume.

See Also

• Neuroimaging
• Cerebrospinal fluid
• Brain atrophy
• Evans' index
• Brain parenchymal fraction