Steady pulsed imaging and labeling scheme for noninvasive perfusion imaging

PURPOSE

A steady pulsed imaging and labeling (SPIL) scheme is proposed to obtain high-resolution multislice perfusion images of mice brain using standard preclinical MRI equipment.

THEORY AND METHODS

The SPIL scheme repeats a pulsed arterial spin labeling (PASL) module together with a short mixing time to extend the temporal duration of the generated PASL bolus to the total experimental time. Multislice image acquisition takes place during the mixing times. The mixing time is also used for magnetization recovery following image acquisition. The new scheme is able to yield multislice perfusion images rapidly. The perfusion kinetic curve can be measured by a multipulsed imaging and labeling (MPIL) scheme, i.e., acquiring single-slice ASL signals before reaching steady-state in the SPIL sequence.

RESULTS

When applying the SPIL method to normal mice, and to mice with unilateral ischemia, high-resolution multislice (five slices) CBF images could be obtained in 8 min. Perfusion data from ischemic mice showed clear CBF reductions in ischemic regions. The SPIL method was also applied to postmortem mice, showing that the method is free from magnetization transfer confounds.

CONCLUSION

The new SPIL scheme provides for robust measurement of CBF with multislice imaging capability in small animals.

Measurement of parenchymal extravascular R2* and tissue oxygen extraction fraction using multi-echo vascular space occupancy MRI at 7 T

Parenchymal extravascular R2* is an important parameter for quantitative blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) studies. Total and intravascular R2* values and changes in R2* values during functional stimulations have been reported in a number of studies. The purpose of this study was to measure absolute extravascular R2* values in human visual cortex and to estimate the intra- and extravascular contributions to the BOLD effect at 7 T. Vascular space occupancy (VASO) MRI was employed to separate out the extravascular tissue signal. Multi-echo VASO and BOLD functional MRI (fMRI) with visual stimulation were performed at 7 T for R2* measurement at a spatial resolution of 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 mm(3) in healthy volunteers (n = 6). The ratio of changes in extravascular and total R2* (ΔR2*) was used to estimate the extravascular fraction of the BOLD effect. Extravascular R2* values were found to be 44.66 ± 1.55 and 43.38 ± 1.51 s(-1) (mean ± standard error of the mean, n = 6) at rest and activation, respectively, in human visual cortex at 7 T. The extravascular BOLD fraction was estimated to be 91 ± 3%. The parenchymal oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) during activation was estimated to be 0.24 ± 0.01 based on the R2* measurements, indicating an approximately 37% decrease compared with OEF at rest.

Single (19)F probe for simultaneous detection of multiple metal ions using miCEST MRI

The local presence and concentration of metal ions in biological systems has been extensively studied ex vivo using fluorescent dyes. However, the detection of multiple metal ions in vivo remains a major challenge. We present a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based method for noninvasive detection of specific ions that may be coexisting, using the tetrafluorinated derivative of the BAPTA (TF-BAPTA) chelate as a ¹⁹F chelate analogue of existing optical dyes. Taking advantage of the difference in the ion-specific ¹⁹F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shift offset (Δω) values between the ion-bound and free TF-BAPTA, we exploited the dynamic exchange between ion-bound and free TF-BAPTA to obtain MRI contrast with multi-ion chemical exchange saturation transfer (miCEST). We demonstrate that TF-BAPTA as a prototype single ¹⁹F probe can be used to separately visualize mixed Zn²⁺ and Fe²⁺ ions in a specific and simultaneous fashion, without interference from potential competitive ions.

Multi-echo length and offset VARied saturation (MeLOVARS) method for improved CEST imaging

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to develop a technique for rapid collection of chemical exchange saturation transfer images with the saturation varied to modulate signal loss transfer and enhance contrast.

METHODS

Multi-echo Length and Offset VARied Saturation (MeLOVARS) divides the saturation pulse of length Tsat into N = 3-8 submodules, each consisting of a saturation pulse with length of Tsat /N (∼0.3-1 s), one or more low flip-angle gradient-echo readout(s) and a flip back pulse. This results in N readouts with increasing saturation time from Tsat /N to Tsat without extra scan time.

RESULTS

For phantoms, eight images with Tsat incremented every 0.5 s from 0.5-4 s were collected simultaneously using MeLOVARS, which allows rapid determination of exchange rates for agent protons. For live mice bearing glioblastomas, the Z-spectra for five different Tsat values from 0.5 to 2.5 s were acquired in a time normally used for one Tsat . With the additional Tsat -dependence information, LOVARS phase maps were produced with a more clearly defined tumor boundary and an estimated 4.3-fold enhanced contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). We also show that enhancing CNR is achievable by simply averaging the collected images or transforming them using the principal component analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

MeLOVARS enables collection of multiple saturation-time-weighted images without extra time, producing a LOVARS phase map with increased CNR.

Three-dimensional acquisition of cerebral blood volume and flow responses during functional stimulation in a single scan

In addition to the BOLD scan, quantitative functional MRI studies require measurement of both cerebral blood volume (CBV) and flow (CBF) dynamics. The ability to detect CBV and CBF responses in a single additional scan would shorten the total scan time and reduce temporal variations. Several approaches for simultaneous CBV and CBF measurement during functional MRI experiments have been proposed in two-dimensional (2D) mode covering one to three slices in one repetition time (TR). Here, we extended the principles from previous work and present a three-dimensional (3D) whole-brain MRI approach that combines the vascular-space-occupancy (VASO) and flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) arterial spin labeling (ASL) techniques, allowing the measurement of CBV and CBF dynamics, respectively, in a single scan. 3D acquisitions are complicated for such a scan combination as the time to null blood signal during a steady state needs to be known. We estimated this using Bloch simulations and demonstrate that the resulting 3D acquisition can detect activation patterns and relative signal changes of quality comparable to that of the original separate scans. The same was found for temporal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). This approach provides improved acquisition efficiency when both CBV and CBF responses need to be monitored during a functional task.

Tuning phenols with Intra-Molecular bond Shifted HYdrogens (IM-SHY) as diaCEST MRI contrast agents

The optimal exchange properties for chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) contrast agents on 3 T clinical scanners were characterized using continuous wave saturation transfer, and it was demonstrated that the exchangeable protons in phenols can be tuned to reach these criteria through proper ring substitution. Systematic modification allows the chemical shift of the exchangeable protons to be positioned between 4.8 to 12 ppm from water and enables adjustment of the proton exchange rate to maximize CEST contrast at these shifts. In particular, 44 hydrogen-bonded phenols are investigated for their potential as CEST MRI contrast agents and the stereoelectronic effects on their CEST properties are summarized. Furthermore, a pair of compounds, 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid and 4,6-dihydroxyisophthalic acid, were identified which produce the highest sensitivity through incorporating two exchangeable protons per ring.

Achieving 1% NMR polarization in water in less than 1min using SABRE

The development of biocompatible hyperpolarized media is a crucial step towards application of hyperpolarization in vivo. This article describes the achievement of 1% hyperpolarization of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazine protons in water using the parahydrogen induced polarization technique based on signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE). Polarization was achieved in less than 1 min.

Mean magnetic susceptibility regularized susceptibility tensor imaging (MMSR-STI) for estimating orientations of white matter fibers in human brain

PURPOSE

An increasing number of studies show that magnetic susceptibility in white matter fibers is anisotropic and may be described by a tensor. However, the limited head rotation possible for in vivo human studies leads to an ill-conditioned inverse problem in susceptibility tensor imaging (STI). Here we suggest the combined use of limiting the susceptibility anisotropy to white matter and imposing morphology constraints on the mean magnetic susceptibility (MMS) for regularizing the STI inverse problem.

METHODS

The proposed MMS regularized STI (MMSR-STI) method was tested using computer simulations and in vivo human data collected at 3T. The fiber orientation estimated from both the STI and MMSR-STI methods was compared to that from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

RESULTS

Computer simulations show that the MMSR-STI method provides a more accurate estimation of the susceptibility tensor than the conventional STI approach. Similarly, in vivo data show that use of the MMSR-STI method leads to a smaller difference between the fiber orientation estimated from STI and DTI for most selected white matter fibers.

CONCLUSION

The proposed regularization strategy for STI can improve estimation of the susceptibility tensor in white matter.

Natural D-glucose as a biodegradable MRI relaxation agent

PURPOSE

Demonstrate applicability of natural D-glucose as a T2 MRI contrast agent.

METHODS

D-glucose solutions were prepared at multiple concentrations and variable pH. The relaxation rate (R2  = 1/T2 ) was measured at 3, 7, and 11.7 T. Additional experiments were performed on blood at 11.7 T. Also, a mouse was infused with D-glucose (3.0 mmol/kg) and dynamic T2 weighted images of the abdomen acquired.

RESULTS

The transverse relaxation rate depended strongly on glucose concentration and solution pH. A maximum change in R2 was observed around physiological pH (pH 6.8-7.8). The transverse relaxivities at 22°C (pH 7.3) were 0.021, 0.060, and 0.077 s(-1) mM(-1) at 3.0, 7.0, and 11.7 T, respectively. These values showed good agreement with expected values from the Swift-Connick equation. There was no significant dependence on glucose concentration or pH for T1 and the diffusion coefficient for these solutions. The transverse relaxivity in blood at 11.7 T was 0.09 s(-1) mM(-1) . The dynamic in vivo experiment showed a 10% drop in signal intensity after glucose infusion followed by recovery of the signal intensity after about 50-100 s.

CONCLUSION

Glucose can be used as a T2 contrast agent for MRI at concentrations that are already approved for human use.

Magnetization transfer contrast MRI for non-invasive assessment of innate and adaptive immune responses against alginate-encapsulated cells

By means of physical isolation of cells inside semi-permeable hydrogels, encapsulation has been widely used to immunoprotect transplanted cells. While spherical alginate microcapsules are now being used clinically, there still is little known about the patient's immune system response unless biopsies are obtained. We investigated the use of Magnetization Transfer (MT) imaging to non-invasively detect host immune responses against alginate capsules containing xenografted human hepatocytes in four groups of animals, including transplanted empty capsules (-Cells/-IS), capsules with live cells with (+LiveCells/+IS) and without immunosuppression (+LiveCells/-IS), and capsules with apoptotic cells in non-immunosuppressed animals (+DeadCells/-IS). The highest MT ratio (MTR) was found in +LiveCells/-IS, which increased from day 0 by 38% and 53% on days 7 and 14 after transplantation respectively, and corresponded to a distinctive increase in cell infiltration on histology. Furthermore, we show that macromolecular ratio maps based on MT data are more sensitive to cell infiltration and fibrosis than conventional MTR maps. Such maps showed a significant difference between +LiveCells/-IS (0.18 ± 0.02) and +DeadCells/-IS (0.13 ± 0.02) on day 7 (P < 0.01) existed, which was not observed on MTR imaging. We conclude that MT imaging, which is clinically available, can be applied for non-invasive monitoring of the occurrence of a host immune response against encapsulated cells.

Prefrontal brain network connectivity indicates degree of both schizophrenia risk and cognitive dysfunction

OBJECTIVE

Cognitive dysfunction is a core feature of schizophrenia, and persons at risk for schizophrenia may show subtle deficits in attention and working memory. In this study, we investigated the relationship between integrity of functional brain networks and performance in attention and working memory tasks as well as schizophrenia risk.

METHODS

A total of 235 adults representing 3 levels of risk (102 outpatients with schizophrenia, 70 unaffected first-degree relatives of persons with schizophrenia, and 63 unrelated healthy controls [HCs]) completed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and a battery of attention and working memory tasks (Brief Test of Attention, Hopkins Verbal Learning Test, and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test) on the same day. Functional networks were defined based on coupling with seeds in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), and primary visual cortex. Networks were then dissected into regional clusters of connectivity that were used to generate individual interaction matrices representing functional connectivity within each network.

RESULTS

Both patients with schizophrenia and their first-degree relatives showed cognitive dysfunction compared with HCs. First canonicals indicated an inverse relationship between cognitive performance and connectivity within the DLPFC and MPFC networks. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed multivariate main effects of higher schizophrenia risk status on increased connectivity within the DLPFC and MPFC networks.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that excessive connectivity within brain networks coupled to the DLPFC and MPFC, respectively, accompany cognitive deficits in persons at risk for schizophrenia. This might reflect compensatory reactions in neural systems required for cognitive processing of attention and working memory tasks to brain changes associated with schizophrenia.

Susceptibility-based analysis of dynamic gadolinium bolus perfusion MRI

PURPOSE

An algorithm is developed for the reconstruction of dynamic, gadolinium (Gd) bolus MR perfusion images of the human brain, based on quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM).

METHODS

The method is evaluated in five perfusion scans obtained from four different patients scanned at 3 Tesla, and compared with the conventional analysis based on changes in the transverse relaxation rate ΔR2 * and to theoretical predictions. QSM images were referenced to ventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for each dynamic of the perfusion sequence.

RESULTS

Images of cerebral blood flow and blood volume were successfully reconstructed from the QSM-analysis, and were comparable to those reconstructed using ΔR2 *. The magnitudes of the Gd-associated susceptibility effects in gray and white matter were consistent with theoretical predictions.

CONCLUSION

QSM-based analysis may have some theoretical advantages compared with ΔR2 *, including a simpler relationship between signal change and Gd concentration. However, disadvantages are its much lower contrast-to-noise ratio, artifacts due to respiration and other effects, and more complicated reconstruction methods. More work is required to optimize data acquisition protocols for QSM-based perfusion imaging.

A diaCEST MRI approach for monitoring liposomal accumulation in tumors

Nanocarrier-based chemotherapy allows preferential delivery of therapeutics to tumors and has been found to improve the efficacy of cancer treatment. However, difficulties in tracking nanocarriers and evaluating their pharmacological fates in patients have limited judicious selection of patients to those who might most benefit from nanotherapeutics. To enable the monitoring of nanocarriers in vivo, we developed MRI-traceable diamagnetic Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (diaCEST) liposomes. The diaCEST liposomes were based on the clinical formulation of liposomal doxorubicin (i.e. DOXIL®) and were loaded with barbituric acid (BA), a small, organic, biocompatible diaCEST contrast agent. The optimized diaCEST liposomal formulation with a BA-to-lipid ratio of 25% exhibited 30% contrast enhancement at B1=4.7μT in vitro. The contrast was stable, with ~80% of the initial CEST signal sustained over 8h in vitro. We used the diaCEST liposomes to monitor the response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), an agent in clinical trials that increases vascular permeability and uptake of nanocarriers into tumors. After systemic administration of diaCEST liposomes to mice bearing CT26 tumors, we found an average diaCEST contrast at the BA frequency (5ppm) of 0.4% at B1=4.7μT while if TNF-α was co-administered the contrast increased to 1.5%. This novel approach provides a non-radioactive, non-metallic, biocompatible, semi-quantitative, and clinically translatable approach to evaluate the tumor targeting of stealth liposomes in vivo, which may enable personalized nanomedicine.

Quantitative magnetic susceptibility mapping without phase unwrapping using WASSR

The magnetic susceptibility of tissue within and around an image voxel affects the magnetic field and thus the local frequency in that voxel. Recently, it has been shown that spatial maps of frequency can be used to quantify local susceptibility if the contributions of surrounding tissue can be deconvolved. Currently, such quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) methods employ gradient recalled echo (GRE) imaging to measure spatial differences in the signal phase evolution as a function of echo time, from which frequencies can be deduced. Analysis of these phase images, however, is complicated by phase wraps, despite the availability and usage of various phase unwrapping algorithms. In addition, lengthy high-resolution GRE scanning often heats the magnet bore, causing the magnetic field to drift over several Hertz, which is on the order of the frequency differences between tissues. Here, we explore the feasibility of applying the WAter Saturation Shift Referencing (WASSR) method for 3D whole brain susceptibility imaging. WASSR uses direct saturation of water protons as a function of frequency irradiation offset to generate frequency maps without phase wraps, which can be combined with any image or spectroscopy acquisition. By utilizing a series of fast short-echo-time direct saturation images with multiple radiofrequency offsets, a frequency correction for field drift can be applied based on the individual image phases. Regions of interest were delineated with an automated atlas-based method, and the average magnetic susceptibilities calculated from frequency maps obtained from WASSR correlated well with those from the phase-based multi-echo GRE approach at 3T.

Localized diffusion magnetic resonance micro-imaging of the live mouse brain

High-resolution diffusion MRI (dMRI) is useful for resolving complex microstructures in the mouse brain, but technically challenging for in vivo studies due to the long scan time. In this study, selective excitation and a three-dimensional fast imaging sequence were used to achieve in vivo high-resolution dMRI of the mouse brain at 11.7Tesla. By reducing the field of view using spatially selective radio frequency pulses, we were able to focus on targeted brain structures and acquire high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) data at an isotropic resolution of 0.1mm and 30 diffusion encoding directions in approximately 1h. We investigated the complex tissue microstructures of the mouse hippocampus, cerebellum, and several cortical areas using this localized dMRI approach, and compared the results with histological sections stained with several axonal and dendritic markers. In the mouse visual cortex, the results showed predominately radially arranged structures in an outer layer and tangentially arranged structures in an inner layer, similar to observations from postmortem human brain specimens.

Human protamine-1 as an MRI reporter gene based on chemical exchange

Genetically engineered reporters have revolutionized the understanding of many biological processes. MRI-based reporter genes can dramatically improve our ability to monitor dynamic gene expression and allow coregistration of subcellular genetic information with high-resolution anatomical images. We have developed a biocompatible MRI reporter gene based on a human gene, the human protamine-1 (hPRM1). The arginine-rich hPRM1 (47% arginine residues) generates high MRI contrast based on the chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) contrast mechanism. The 51 amino acid-long hPRM1 protein was fully synthesized using microwave-assisted technology, and the CEST characteristics of this protein were compared to other CEST-based contrast agents. Both bacterial and human cells were engineered to express an optimized hPRM1 gene and showed higher CEST contrast compared to controls. Live cells expressing the hPRM1 reporter gene, and embedded in three-dimensional culture, also generated higher CEST contrast compared to wild-type live cells.

Whole-brain three-dimensional T2-weighted BOLD functional magnetic resonance imaging at 7 Tesla

PURPOSE

A new acquisition scheme for T2-weighted spin-echo BOLD fMRI is introduced.

METHODS

It uses a T2-preparation module to induce blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) contrast, followed by a single-shot three-dimensional (3D) fast gradient-echo readout with short echo time (TE). It differs from most spin-echo BOLD sequences in that BOLD contrast is generated before the readout, which eliminates the "dead time" due to long TE required for T2 contrast, and substantially improves acquisition efficiency. This approach, termed "3D T2prep-GRE," was implemented at 7 Tesla (T) with a typical spatial (2.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 mm(3) ) and temporal (TR = 2.3 s) resolution for functional MRI (fMRI) and whole-brain coverage (55 slices), and compared with the widely used 2D spin-echo EPI sequence.

RESULTS

In fMRI experiments of simultaneous visual/motor activities, 3D T2prep-GRE showed minimal distortion and little signal dropout across the whole brain. Its lower power deposition allowed greater spatial coverage (55 versus 17 slices with identical TR, resolution and power level), temporal SNR (60% higher) and CNR (35% higher) efficiency than 2D spin-echo EPI. It also showed smaller T2* contamination.

CONCLUSION

This approach is expected to be useful for ultra-high field fMRI, especially for regions near air cavities. The concept of using T2-preparation to generate BOLD contrast can be combined with many other sequences at any field strength.

Optimization of SABRE for polarization of the tuberculosis drugs pyrazinamide and isoniazid

Hyperpolarization produces nuclear spin polarization that is several orders of magnitude larger than that achieved at thermal equilibrium thus providing extraordinary contrast and sensitivity. As a parahydrogen induced polarization (PHIP) technique that does not require chemical modification of the substrate to polarize, Signal Amplification by Reversible Exchange (SABRE) has attracted a lot of attention. Using a prototype parahydrogen polarizer, we polarize two drugs used in the treatment of tuberculosis, namely pyrazinamide and isoniazid. We examine this approach in four solvents, methanol-d4, methanol, ethanol and DMSO and optimize the polarization transfer magnetic field strength, the temperature as well as intensity and duration of hydrogen bubbling to achieve the best overall signal enhancement and hence hyperpolarization level.

Noninvasive imaging of infection after treatment with tumor-homing bacteria using Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) MRI

PURPOSE

To develop a noninvasive MRI method for determining the germination and infection of tumor-homing bacteria in bacteriolytic cancer therapy using endogenous CEST contrast.

METHODS

The CEST parameters of the anaerobic gram-positive bacterium Clostridium novyi-NT (C. novyi-NT) were first characterized in vitro, then used to detect C. novyi-NT germination and infection in subcutaneous CT26 colorectal tumor-bearing mice (n = 6) after injection of 300 million bacterial spores. Lipopolysacharide (LPS) injected mice were used to exclude that the changes of CEST MRI were due to inflammation.

RESULTS

CEST contrast was observed over a broad frequency range for bacterial suspensions in vitro, with the maximum contrast around 2.6 ppm from the water resonance. No signal could be detected for bacterial spores, demonstrating the specificity for germination. In vivo, a significant elevation of CEST contrast was identified in C. novyi-NT infected tumors as compared to those before bacterial germination and infection (P < 0.05; n = 6). No significant change was observed in tumors with LPS-induced sterile inflammation (P > 0.05; n = 4).

CONCLUSION

Endogenous bacterial CEST contrast (bacCEST) can be used to monitor the germination and proliferation of the therapeutic bacterium C. novyi-NT without a need for exogenous cell labeling probes.

Gross feature recognition of Anatomical Images based on Atlas grid (GAIA): Incorporating the local discrepancy between an atlas and a target image to capture the features of anatomic brain MRI

We aimed to develop a new method to convert T1-weighted brain MRIs to feature vectors, which could be used for content-based image retrieval (CBIR). To overcome the wide range of anatomical variability in clinical cases and the inconsistency of imaging protocols, we introduced the Gross feature recognition of Anatomical Images based on Atlas grid (GAIA), in which the local intensity alteration, caused by pathological (e.g., ischemia) or physiological (development and aging) intensity changes, as well as by atlas–image misregistration, is used to capture the anatomical features of target images.

As a proof-of-concept, the GAIA was applied for pattern recognition of the neuroanatomical features of multiple stages of Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia type 6, and four subtypes of primary progressive aphasia. For each of these diseases, feature vectors based on a training dataset were applied to a test dataset to evaluate the accuracy of pattern recognition. The feature vectors extracted from the training dataset agreed well with the known pathological hallmarks of the selected neurodegenerative diseases. Overall, discriminant scores of the test images accurately categorized these test images to the correct disease categories. Images without typical disease-related anatomical features were misclassified. The proposed method is a promising method for image feature extraction based on disease-related anatomical features, which should enable users to submit a patient image and search past clinical cases with similar anatomical phenotypes.

•

A novel method to convert anatomical brain MRIs to feature vectors is introduced.

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Degree of local atlas–image disagreement is used to capture the anatomical features.

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The method was applied for pattern recognition of various neurodegenerative diseases.

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The feature vectors agreed well with the known pathological hallmarks of diseases.

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The method accurately categorized test images to the correct disease categories.

Advanced MRI strategies for assessing spinal cord injury

Advanced magnetic resonance (MR) approaches permit the noninvasive quantification of macromolecular, functional, and physiological properties of biological tissues. In this chapter, we review the application of advanced MR techniques to the spinal cord. Macromolecular properties of the spinal cord can be studied using magnetization transfer (MT) MR, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), Q-space diffusion spectroscopy, and selective detection of myelin water. The functional and metabolic status of the spinal cord can be studied using functional MRI (fMRI), perfusion imaging, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Finally, we consider the outlook for advanced MR studies in persons in whom metal hardware has been implanted to stabilize the cord. In spite of the spinal cord's diminutive size, its location deep within the body, and constant motion, recent work shows that the spinal cord can be studied using these advanced MR approaches.

Metal ion sensing using ion chemical exchange saturation transfer 19F magnetic resonance imaging

Although metal ions are involved in a myriad of biological processes, noninvasive detection of free metal ions in deep tissue remains a formidable challenge. We present an approach for specific sensing of the presence of Ca(2+) in which the amplification strategy of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) is combined with the broad range of chemical shifts found in (19)F NMR spectroscopy to obtain magnetic resonance images of Ca(2+). We exploited the chemical shift change (Δω) of (19)F upon binding of Ca(2+) to the 5,5'-difluoro derivative of 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (5F-BAPTA) by radiofrequency labeling at the Ca(2+)-bound (19)F frequency and detection of the label transfer to the Ca(2+)-free (19)F frequency. Through the substrate binding kinetics we were able to amplify the signal of Ca(2+) onto free 5F-BAPTA and thus indirectly detect low Ca(2+) concentrations with high sensitivity.

Noninvasive functional imaging of cerebral blood volume with vascular-space-occupancy (VASO) MRI

Functional MRI (fMRI) based on changes in cerebral blood volume (CBV) can probe directly vasodilatation and vasoconstriction during brain activation or physiologic challenges, and can provide important insights into the mechanism of blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal changes. At present, the most widely used CBV fMRI technique in humans is called vascular-space-occupancy (VASO) MRI, and this article provides a technical review of this method. VASO MRI utilizes T1 differences between blood and tissue to distinguish between these two compartments within a voxel, and employs a blood-nulling inversion recovery sequence to yield an MR signal proportional to 1 - CBV. As such, vasodilatation will result in a VASO signal decrease and vasoconstriction will have the reverse effect. The VASO technique can be performed dynamically with a temporal resolution comparable with several other fMRI methods, such as BOLD or arterial spin labeling (ASL), and is particularly powerful when conducted in conjunction with these complementary techniques. The pulse sequence and imaging parameters of VASO can be optimized such that the signal change is predominantly of CBV origin, but careful considerations should be taken to minimize other contributions, such as those from the BOLD effect, cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The sensitivity of the VASO technique is the primary disadvantage when compared with BOLD, but this technique is increasingly demonstrating its utility in neuroscientific and clinical applications.

Time domain removal of irrelevant magnetization in chemical exchange saturation transfer Z-spectra

PURPOSE

To evaluate the possibility of processing Z-spectra using time domain analysis.

METHODS

An inverse Fourier transform (IFT) is applied on Z-spectra, thus transforming the chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) data into the time domain. Here, large interfering signals from solvent and semisolid magnetization transfer can be fit and filtered out. The method is demonstrated on a range of phantoms (creatine, a para-CEST agent, and hen egg white) and also in vivo on a mouse brain.

RESULTS

Using time domain analysis, signal components in Z-spectra could be fit very well, thus enabling irreverent or nuisance components to be removed. The method worked equally well for samples in a solution or a gel where the large contribution from conventional magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) was easily separated out. Results from egg white and mouse brain in vivo data showed that the large water resonance could easily be removed thus allowing the remaining signal to be analyzed without interference from direct water saturation.

CONCLUSIONS

This method successfully filtered out the large nuisance signals from bulk water and MTC in Z-spectra in a large variety of phantom types and also in vivo. It is expected to be a potentially powerful tool for CEST studies without needing asymmetry analysis.

Elevated arteriolar cerebral blood volume in prodromal Huntington's disease

BACKGROUND

Neurovascular alterations have been implicated in the pathophysiology of Huntington's disease (HD). Because arterioles are most responsive to metabolic alterations, arteriolar cerebral blood volume (CBVa) is an important indicator of cerebrovascular regulation. The objective of this pilot study was to investigate potential neurovascular (CBVa ) abnormality in prodromal-HD patients and compare it with the widely used imaging marker: brain atrophy.

METHODS

CBVa and brain volumes were measured with ultra-high-field (7.0-Telsa) magnetic resonance imaging in seven prodromal-HD patients and nine age-matched controls.

RESULTS

Cortical CBVa was elevated significantly in prodromal-HD patients compared with controls (relative difference, 38.5%; effect size, 1.48). Significant correlations were found between CBVa in the frontal cortex and genetic measures. By contrast, no significant brain atrophy was detected in the prodromal-HD patients.

CONCLUSIONS

CBVa may be abnormal in prodromal-HD, even before substantial brain atrophy occurs. Further investigation with a larger cohort and longitudinal follow-up is merited to determine whether CBVa could be used as a potential biomarker for clinical trials.