Reversible, reproducible reduction of brain water apparent diffusion coefficient by cortical electroshocks

Rat brains were imaged after cortical electroshock pulse trains (1 ms pulses at 100 Hz) of varying durations (0.1-10 s), with diffusion-weighted echo planar imaging sequences at 2.0 T. The apparent water diffusion coefficient (ADC) decreased after either single or repeat electroshock trains. ADC reductions were observed within 6 s after the first shock. The size of the affected area of the brain increased in subsequent images during the 1st min after a 10-pulse (0.1 s) train, and also increased with the duration of electroshock trains. ADC reduction was reproducible in extent and time course after single 10-shock trains and was reversible. In the affected pixels the mean ADC reduction was 4% for a single shock train (0.1 s), and 7-8% for trains repeated once a minute, independent of electroshock train duration. The results indicate that neuronal activity associated with electrostimulation may be monitored with water diffusion measurements, and they may be useful for measuring the severity of seizure activity in patients with medically intractable epilepsy.

Radiation dose distributions in three dimensions from tomographic optical density scanning of polymer gels: II. Optical properties of the BANG polymer gel

A newly developed method of radiation dosimetry makes use of the optical properties of polymer gels. The dose-response mechanism relies on the production of light-scattering polymer micro-particles in the gel at each site of radiation absorption. The scattering produces an attenuation of transmitted light intensity that is directly related to the dose and independent of dose rate. For the BANG polymer gel (bis, acrylamide, nitrogen, and gelatin) the shape of the dose-response curve depends on the fraction of the cross-linking monomer in the initial mixture and on the wavelength of light. At 500 nm the attenuation coefficient (mu) increases by approximately 0.7 mm-1 when the dose increases from 0 to 5 Gy. The refractive index of an irradiated gel shows no significant dispersion in the visible region and depends only slightly on the dose. Turbidity difference spectra are compared with theoretical spectra of efficiency factors for total scattering, derived using Mie-Debye theory, and the average sizes of the cross-linked particles produced by radiation, as a function of dose, are established. The particle sizes increase with dose and reach approximately the wavelength of red light. The dependence of the particle sizes on cross-linker fraction parallels a similar dependence of the water proton NMR transverse relaxation rate dose response.

Auditory selective attention: an fMRI investigation

In the present experiment, 25 adult subjects discriminated speech tokens ([ba]/[da]) or made pitch judgments on tone stimuli (rising/falling) under both binaural and dichotic listening conditions. We observed that when listeners performed tasks under the dichotic conditions, during which greater demands are made on auditory selective attention, activation within the posterior (parietal) attention system and at primary processing sites in the superior temporal and inferior frontal regions was increased. The cingulate gyrus within the anterior attention system was not influenced by this manipulation. Hemispheric differences between speech and nonspeech tasks were also observed, both at Broca's Area within the inferior frontal gyrus and in the middle temporal gyrus.

Magnetic resonance evidence of hypoxia in a homozygous alpha-knockout of a transgenic mouse model for sickle cell disease

All transgenic mouse models for sickle cell disease express residual levels of mouse globins which complicate the interpretation of experimental results. We now report on a mouse expressing high levels of human betaS and 100% human alpha-globin. These mice were created by breeding the alpha-knockout and the mouse beta(major)-deletion to homozygosity in mice expressing human alpha- and betaS-transgenes. These betaS-alpha-knockout mice have accelerated red cell destruction, altered hematological indices, ongoing organ damage, and pathology under ambient conditions which are comparable with those found in alphaH betaS-Ant[betaMDD] mice without introduction of additional mutations which convert betaS into a "super-betaS" such as the doubly mutated betaS-Antilles. This is of particular importance for testing strategies for gene therapy of sickle cell disease. Spin echo magnetic resonance imaging at room air and 100% oxygen demonstrated the presence of blood hypoxia (high levels of deoxygenated hemoglobin) in the liver and kidneys that was absent in control mice. We demonstrate here that transgenic mice can be useful to test new noninvasive diagnostic procedures, since the magnetic resonance imaging technique described here potentially can be applied to patients with sickle cell disease.

Radiation dose distributions in three dimensions from tomographic optical density scanning of polymer gels: I. Development of an optical scanner

A new method of dosimetry of ionizing radiations has been developed that makes use of tissue-equivalent polymer gels which are capable of recording three-dimensional dose distributions. The dosimetric data stored within the gels are measured using optical tomographic densitometry. The dose-response mechanism relies on the production of light scattering microparticles which result from the polymerization of acrylic comonomers dispersed in the gel. The attenuation of a collimated light beam caused by scattering in the irradiated optically turbid medium is directly related to the radiation dose over the range 0-10 Gy. An optical scanner has been developed which incorporates an He-Ne laser, photodiode detectors, and a rotating gel platform. Using mirrors mounted on a translating stage, the laser beam scans across the gel between each incremental rotation of the platform. Using the set of optical density projections obtained, a cross sectional image of the radiation field is then reconstructed. Doses in the range 0-10 Gy can be measured to better than 5% accuracy with a spatial resolution approximately 2 mm using the current prototype scanner. This method can be used for the determination of three-dimensional dose distributions in irradiated gels, including measurements of the complex distributions produced by multi-leaf collimators, dynamic wedge and stereotactic treatments, and for quality assurance procedures.

Differential sensitivity of human visual cortex to faces, letterstrings, and textures: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Twelve normal subjects viewed alternating sequences of unfamiliar faces, unpronounceable nonword letterstrings, and textures while echoplanar functional magnetic resonance images were acquired in seven slices extending from the posterior margin of the splenium to near the occipital pole. These stimuli were chosen to elicit initial category-specific processing in extrastriate cortex while minimizing semantic processing. Overall, faces evoked more activation than did letterstrings. Comparing hemispheres, faces evoked greater activation in the right than the left hemisphere, whereas letterstrings evoked greater activation in the left than the right hemisphere. Faces primarily activated the fusiform gyrus bilaterally, and also activated the right occipitotemporal and inferior occipital sulci and a region of lateral cortex centered in the middle temporal gyrus. Letterstrings primarily activated the left occipitotemporal and inferior occipital sulci. Textures primarily activated portions of the collateral sulcus. In the left hemisphere, 9 of the 12 subjects showed a characteristic pattern in which faces activated a discrete region of the lateral fusiform gyrus, whereas letterstrings activated a nearby region of cortex within the occipitotemporal and inferior occipital sulci. These results suggest that different regions of ventral extrastriate cortex are specialized for processing the perceptual features of faces and letterstrings, and that these regions are intermediate between earlier processing in striate and peristriate cortex, and later lexical, semantic, and associative processing in downstream cortical regions.

Cerebral organization of component processes in reading

The cerebral organization of word identification processes in reading was examined using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Changes in fMRI signal intensities were measured in 38 subjects (19 males and 19 females) during visual (line judgement), orthographic (letter case judgement), phonological (nonword rhyme judgement) and semantic (semantic category judgement) tasks. A strategy of multiple subtractions was employed in order to validate relationships between structure and function. Orthographic processing made maximum demands on extrastriate sites, phonological processing on a number of frontal and temporal sites, and lexical-semantic processing was most strongly associated with middle and superior temporal sites. Significant sex differences in the cerebral organization of reading-related processes were also observed.

Activation of human prefrontal cortex during spatial and nonspatial working memory tasks measured by functional MRI

Separate working memory domains for spatial location, and for objects, faces, and patterns, have been identified in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of nonhuman primates. We have used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine whether spatial and nonspatial visual working memory processes are similarly dissociable in human PFC. Subjects performed tasks which required them to remember either the location or shape of successive visual stimuli. We found that the mnemonic component of the working memory tasks affected the hemispheric pattern of PFC activation. The spatial (LOCATION) working memory task preferentially activated the middle frontal gyrus (MFG) in the right hemisphere, while the nonspatial (SHAPE) working memory task activated the MFG in both hemispheres. Furthermore, the area of activation in the left hemisphere extended into the inferior frontal gyrus for nonspatial SHAPE task. A perceptual target (DOT) detection task also activated the MFG bilaterally, but at a level approximately half that of the working memory tasks. The activation in the MFG occurred within 3-6 s of task onset and declined following task offset. Time-course analysis revealed a different pattern for cingulate gyrus, in which activation occurred upon task completion. Cingulate gyrus activation was greatest following the SHAPE task and was greater in the left hemisphere. The present results support the prominent role of the PFC and, specifically, the MFG in working memory, and indicate that the mnemonic content of the task affects the relative weighting of hemispheric activation.

Quantitative blood flow measurements with cine phase-contrast MR imaging of subjects at rest and after exercise to assess peripheral vascular disease

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether cine phase-contrast MR volume flow measurements can identify patients with peripheral vascular disease.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We performed MR measurements of volume blood flow in the popliteal artery of subjects at rest and after 5 min of plantar flexion exercise in 10 volunteers (mean age, 28 years old), in five patients suspected of having peripheral vascular disease (mean age, 58 years old), and in five other volunteers of a similar age (mean age, 57 years old).

RESULTS

Volume blood flow at rest was similar in volunteers and in patients. Four patients who had abnormal ankle-brachial indexes had lower flow increases after exercise (2.6-fold) compared with the five older normal volunteers (4.8-fold; p < .03, t test). These flow increases correlated well with ankle-brachial indexes: r = .97. The four patients with abnormal ankle-brachial indexes had monophasic resting waveforms, whereas all other subjects had triphasic waveforms.

CONCLUSION

MR volume blood flow measurement may aid in evaluating peripheral vascular disease. Studies of larger patient groups will be necessary.

Radiation therapy dosimetry using magnetic resonance imaging of polymer gels

Further progress in the development of polymer gel dosimetry using MRI is reported, together with examples of its application to verify treatment plans for stereotactic radiosurgery and high dose rate brachytherapy. The dose distribution image produced in the tissue-equivalent gel by radiation-induced polymerization, and encoded in the spatial distribution of the NMR transverse relaxation rates (R2) of the water protons in the gel, is permanent. Maps of R2 are constructed from magnetic resonance imaging data and serve as a template for dose maps, which can be used to verify complex dose distributions from external sources or brachytherapy applicators. The integrating, three-dimensional, tissue-equivalent characteristics of polymer gels make it possible to obtain dose distributions not readily measured by conventional methods. An improved gel formulation (BANG-2) has a linear dose response that is independent of energy and dose rate for the situations studied to date. There is excellent agreement between the dose distributions predicted using treatment planning calculations and those measured using the gel method, and the clinical practical utility of MRI-based polymer gel dosimetry is thereby demonstrated.

The effects of cross-link density and chemical exchange on magnetization transfer in polyacrylamide gels

The effects of polymer structure and water-macromolecule interactions on proton relaxation in an aqueous model polymer have been investigated using quantitative measurements of magnetization transfer. Polyacrylamide gels composed of 95% water, 5% comonomers acrylamide and N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide were studied. The structure and rigidity were varied by changing the cross-linking density of the polymer. The polymer showed a biphasic change in transverse relaxation with increasing cross-linking density which was accompanied by a sudden increase in magnetization transfer above 40% cross linking. This change may be attributed to the formation of rigid domains in the polymer which exhibit solid-like behavior with a short T2 (11 microseconds) and a Gaussian lineshape. Water-macromolecule interactions were controlled by varying the pH of the gel. At high pH (> 8), there was an increase in magnetization transfer and transverse relaxivity consistent with a chemical-exchange-mediated interaction between water protons and the polymer. By analyzing the system as two proton reservoirs coupled by magnetization exchange, the proton populations, intrinsic relaxation rates, and exchange rates were estimated, for different degrees of cross linking and pH. This model affords useful insights into the relevance of both supramolecular structure and chemical exchange on relaxation in tissues.

Effects of osmotically driven cell volume changes on diffusion-weighted imaging of the rat optic nerve

The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the rat optic nerve was measured in vitro, using magnetic resonance imaging, to determine the effects of changes in cellular volume fraction on the diffusion of tissue water. Nerve ADC was determined under conditions of cell membrane depolarization and (i) increased intracellular volume, (ii) decreased intracellular volume, and (iii) negligible volume change. Depolarization alone had little affect on ADC, whereas volume changes produced strong, reversible effects. Increased cell volume decreased ADC and vice versa. These results are consistent with the view that changes in the extracellular space are the major source of ADC changes in brain tissue.

Diffusion-weighted imaging in tissues: theoretical models

Typical diffusion measurements use Stejskal-Tanner pulsed gradient spin echo sequences to provide information about the average diffusion and displacement profiles of particles in a sample. To derive structural information, a measured displacement profile has to be related by means of a model to the physical and geometrical properties of the tissue, such as diffusion coefficients and shapes of semi-permeable membranes of compartments in the system. The behavior of the NMR signal and the measured ADC are greatly affected by the cellular architecture of a tissue, mainly because cellular membranes are relatively impermeable to water. For long diffusion times, and small signal attenuations, ADC is relatively insensitive to how it is measured. In general, however, ADC values are not readily interpreted unless the measuring conditions are specified in detail. For given measuring conditions, ADC depends on intra- and extracellular diffusion coefficients, membrane permeabilities, cell sizes and the cellular volume fraction. If intra- and extracellular T2 relaxation rates are different enough, ADC may also depend on the relaxation properties of the system and the echo time. An improved understanding of the precise influence of these factors has been obtained by detailed consideration of theoretical and computer models that can be related to experimental data in simple systems. Further refinements of such models should advance our understanding of water diffusion in tissues.

Validation of volume flow measurements with cine phase-contrast MR imaging for peripheral arterial waveforms

A flow phantom was used to study MR volume flow measurements for monophasic and triphasic waveforms over the flow range expected in peripheral arteries at rest and with exercise (2-24 mL/sec, n = 50). The improvement in accuracy with phase-correction image processing to eliminate errors caused by eddy currents was measured. Volume flow estimates with Doppler sonography were also measured. MR volume flow measurements correlated with volume collection with r = .996 and mean error = 4.6%. Phase-correction processing decreased mean error from 12.6% to 4.6% (P < .001, paired t-test). Doppler sonography had a higher mean error of 10.3% (P < .001, unpaired t-test). Cine phase-contrast MR imaging provides accurate estimates of volume blood flow for waveforms and flow ranges expected in peripheral arteries.

Diffusion-weighted NMR imaging changes caused by electrical activation of the brain

The apparent diffusion coefficient of brain water was decreased by frontal cortical electroshock, usually but not always associated with brief epileptic afterdischarge detectable at the parietal cortex. Previous studies have shown that status epilepticus causes similar larger decreases, which are largely reversible by the termination of seizure discharge with pentobarbital. Cerebral blood flow is elevated in these conditions, and biochemical energy failure does not occur. The brain water diffusion coefficient also decreases in spreading depression, without depletion of energy stores. All of these findings may be due in part to the reduction of brain extracellular space caused by cell swelling, which occurs to some degree in all three conditions. However, major biological differences between brain activation and brain ischemia and new evidence for increased cytosolic viscosity in the latter both suggest that other mechanisms deserve further investigation. Use-dependent motility of dendritic spines and other phenomena that may allow direct detection of neural activity by diffusion-weighted NMR imaging are of special interest.

Changes in magnetic resonance transverse relaxation times of two muscles following standardized exercise

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies of exercising leg muscles were performed to compare the changes in MR transverse relaxation times (T2) that result from exercise of the anterior tibialis (AT) and extensor digitorum/hallicus longus (E) in the anterior compartment of the lower leg with those T2 changes in the medial and lateral gastrocnemius (G) in the posterior compartment. Spin-echo MR images were obtained at 1.5 Tesla before and during the first 14 min of recovery from dynamic exercise. In order to normalize the exercise, workloads for each subject were set at 25% of the measured maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the anterior and posterior compartments. In separate exercise sessions, a nonmagnetic, pneumatic exercise apparatus was employed for either dorsiflexion or plantarflexion against a fixed constant resistance for two different exercise durations (1 min 45 s or 5 min). Transaxial MR images (TR = 1000 ms, TE = 30, 60, 90, 120 ms, 128 x 256 matrix, 1.5 cm slice) were used to calculate T2 values. Although subjects performed approximately 7-fold more work (P < or = 0.001, dorsiflexion vs plantarflexion) during plantarflexion than during dorsiflexion at both exercise duration's, the exercise induced T2, while being greater than those at rest (P < or = 0.001), were not significantly different in the different compartments. We conclude that, when exercised at the same workload (25% of MVC), these two muscles produce T2 changes that are not significantly different from each other.

Face-sensitive regions in human extrastriate cortex studied by functional MRI

1. We have previously identified face-selective areas in the mid-fusiform and inferior temporal gyri in electrophysiological recordings made from chronically implanted subdural electrodes in epilepsy patients. In this study, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to study the anatomic extent of face-sensitive brain regions and to assess hemispheric laterality. 2. A time series of 128 gradient echo echoplanar images was acquired while subjects continuously viewed an alternating series of 10 unfamiliar faces followed by 10 equiluminant scrambled faces. Each cycle of this alternating sequence lasted 12 s and each experimental run consisted of 14 cycles. The time series of each voxel was transformed into the frequency domain using Fourier analysis. Activated voxels were defined by significant peaks in their power spectra at the frequency of stimulus alternation and by a 180 degrees phase shift that followed changes in stimulus alternation order. 3. Activated voxels to faces were obtained in the fusiform and inferior temporal gyri in 9 of 12 subjects and were approximately coextensive with previously identified face-selective regions. Nine subjects also showed activation in the left or right middle occipital gyri, or in the superior temporal or lateral occipital sulci. Cortical volumes activated in the left and right hemispheres were not significantly different. Activated voxels to scrambled faces were observed in six subjects at locations mainly in the lingual gyri and collateral sulci, medial to the regions activated by faces. 4. Face stimuli activated portions of the midfusiform and inferior temporal gyri, including adjacent cortex within occipitotemporal sulci.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of sensory and motor cortex: comparison with electrophysiological localization

Functional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed using a 1.5-tesla MR system to localize sensorimotor cortex. Six neurologically normal subjects were studied by means of axial gradient-echo images with a motor task and one or more sensory tasks: 1) electrical stimulation of the median nerve; 2) continuous brushing over the thenar region; and 3) pulsed flow of compressed air over the palm and digits. An increased MR signal was observed in or near the central sulcus, consistent with the location of primary sensory and motor cortex. Four patients were studied using echo planar imaging sequences and motor and sensory tasks. Three patients had focal refractory seizures secondary to a lesion impinging on sensorimotor cortex. Activation seen on functional MR imaging was coextensive with the location of the sensorimotor area determined by evoked potentials and electrical stimulation. Functional MR imaging provides a useful noninvasive method of localization and functional assessment of sensorimotor cortex.

An ROC approach for evaluating functional brain MR imaging and postprocessing protocols

A method that can be used to evaluate the performance of MRI methods for detecting discrete regional activations using functional MRI is presented. Computer derived receiver-operator-characteristic (ROC) curves have been used to evaluate quantitatively a range of conditions encountered in functional MRI studies. ROC analysis allows multiple acquisition strategies and multiple postprocessing strategies to be quantitatively and objectively compared. The authors first present this analysis technique and then illustrate its use for assessing the relative performances of different functional MRI data acquisition strategies using different gradient echo, echoplanar imaging protocols. In addition, the authors have used the ROC analysis to evaluate and compare several methods for analyzing functional MRI data to extract regions of activation. This approach to assessing the performance of different methods is of general use and can be applied to evaluate other data acquisition protocols and postprocessing methods.

Theoretical model for water diffusion in tissues

Water diffusion in a tissue model is studied both analytically and numerically. Tissue is regarded as a periodic array of boxes surrounded by partially permeable membranes (cells), embedded in an extracellular medium. intracellular and extracellular diffusion coefficients may differ. Expressions for the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) in isotropic and nonisotropic tissues are derived and compared with Monte Carlo simulations. Calculated ADCs disagree with values obtained from the widely used "fast exchange" formula. Effects of differences between intracellular and extracellular T2 relaxation times on measured values of ADC and T2 are discussed. The general analysis is specifically applied to the changes occurring in ADC following ischemic insults to brain tissue. It is found that although membranes affect ADC significantly, the observed changes in diffusion cannot be due to reduced membrane permeabilities. They may result from the combined effect of changes in cellular volume fraction, extracellular and intracellular diffusion.