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Wu Q, Qi Y, Gong P, Huang B, Cheng G, Liang D, Zheng H, Sun PZ, Wu Y. Fast and robust pulsed chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI using a quasi-steady-state (QUASS) algorithm at 3 T. Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 105:29-36. [PMID: 37898416 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2023.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) has emerged as a powerful technique to image dilute labile protons. However, its measurement depends on the RF saturation duration (Tsat) and relaxation delay (Trec). Although the recently developed quasi-steady-state (QUASS) solution can reconstruct equilibrium CEST effects under continuous-wave RF saturation, it does not apply to pulsed-CEST MRI on clinical scanners with restricted hardware or specific absorption rate limits. This study proposed a QUASS algorithm for pulsed-CEST MRI and evaluated its performance in muscle CEST measurement. An approximated expression of a steady-state pulsed-CEST signal was incorporated in the off-resonance spin-lock model, from which the QUASS pulsed-CEST effect was derived. Numerical simulation, creatine phantom, and healthy volunteer scans were conducted at 3 T. The CEST effect was quantified with asymmetry analysis in the simulation and phantom experiments. CEST effects of creatine, amide proton transfer, phosphocreatine, and combined magnetization transfer and nuclear Overhauser effects were isolated from a multi-pool Lorentzian model in muscles. Apparent and QUASS CEST measurements were compared under different Tsat/Trec and duty cycles. Paired Student's t-test was employed with P < 0.05 as statistically significant. The simulation, phantom, and human studies showed the strong impact of Tsat/Trec on apparent CEST measurements, which were significantly smaller than the corresponding QUASS CEST measures, especially under short Tsat/Trec times. In comparison, the QUASS algorithm mitigates such impact and enables accurate CEST measurements under short Tsat/Trec times. In conclusion, the QUASS algorithm can accelerate robust pulsed-CEST MRI, promising the efficient detection and evaluation of muscle diseases in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiting Wu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Medical AI Lab, School of Biomedical Engineering, Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yulong Qi
- Department of Medical Imaging, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Pengcheng Gong
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Bingsheng Huang
- Medical AI Lab, School of Biomedical Engineering, Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Guanxun Cheng
- Department of Medical Imaging, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Dong Liang
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Hairong Zheng
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yin Wu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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Rivlin M, Perlman O, Navon G. Metabolic brain imaging with glucosamine CEST MRI: in vivo characterization and first insights. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22030. [PMID: 38086821 PMCID: PMC10716494 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48515-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The utility of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI for monitoring the uptake of glucosamine (GlcN), a safe dietary supplement, has been previously demonstrated in detecting breast cancer in both murine and human subjects. Here, we studied and characterized the detectability of GlcN uptake and metabolism in the brain. Following intravenous GlcN administration in mice, CEST brain signals calculated by magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym) analysis, were significantly elevated, mainly in the cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus. The in vivo contrast remained stable during 40 min of examination, which can be attributed to GlcN uptake and its metabolic products accumulation as confirmed using 13C NMR spectroscopic studies of brain extracts. A Lorentzian multi-pool fitting analysis revealed an increase in the hydroxyl, amide, and relayed nuclear Overhauser effect (rNOE) signal components after GlcN treatment. With its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the GlcN CEST technique has the potential to serve as a metabolic biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring various brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Rivlin
- School of Chemistry, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Or Perlman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Gil Navon
- School of Chemistry, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
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Wu L, Lu D, Sun PZ. Comparison of model-free Lorentzian and spinlock model-based fittings in quantitative CEST imaging of acute stroke. Magn Reson Med 2023; 90:1958-1968. [PMID: 37335834 PMCID: PMC10538953 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE CEST MRI detects complex tissue changes following acute stroke. Our study aimed to test if spinlock model-based fitting of the quasi-steady-state (QUASS)-reconstructed equilibrium CEST MRI improves the determination of multi-pool signal changes over the commonly-used model-free Lorentzian fitting in acute stroke. THEORY AND METHODS Multiple three-pool CEST Z-spectra were simulated using Bloch-McConnell equations for a range of T1 , relaxation delay, and saturation times. The multi-pool CEST signals were solved from the simulated Z-spectra to test the accuracy of routine Lorentzian (model-free) and spinlock (model-based) fittings without and with QUASS reconstruction. In addition, multiparametric MRI scans were obtained in rat models of acute stroke, including relaxation, diffusion, and CEST Z-spectrum. Finally, we compared model-free and model-based per-pixel CEST quantification in vivo. RESULTS The spinlock model-based fitting of QUASS CEST MRI provided a nearly T1 -independent determination of multi-pool CEST signals, advantageous over the fittings of apparent CEST MRI (model-free and model-based). In vivo data also demonstrated that the spinlock model-based QUASS fitting captured significantly different changes in semisolid magnetization transfer (-0.9 ± 0.8 vs. 0.3 ± 0.8%), amide (-1.1 ± 0.4 vs. -0.5 ± 0.2%), and guanidyl (1.0 ± 0.4 vs. 0.7 ± 0.3%) signals over the model-free Lorentzian analysis. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that spinlock model-based fitting of QUASS CEST MRI improved the determination of the underlying tissue changes following acute stroke, promising further clinical translation of quantitative CEST imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limin Wu
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Dongshuang Lu
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta GA
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta GA
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Qian Z, Liu R, Wu Z, Hsu YC, Fu C, Sun Y, Wu D, Zhang Y. Saturation-prolongated and inhomogeneity-mitigated chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging with parallel transmission. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e4689. [PMID: 34994025 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging benefits from a longer saturation duration and a higher saturation duty cycle. Dielectric shading effects occur when the radiofrequency (RF) wavelength approaches the object size. Here, we proposed a simultaneous parallel transmission-based CEST (pTx-CEST) sequence to prolongate the saturation duration at a 100% duty cycle and improve the RF saturation homogeneity in CEST imaging. The simultaneous pTx-CEST sequence was implemented by switching the CEST saturation module from the non-pTx to pTx mode, using the pTx functionality with both transmit channels being driven simultaneously (instead of time-interleaved). The optimization of amplitude ratio and phase difference settings between RF channels for best B1 homogeneity was performed in phantoms of two different sizes mimicking the human brain and abdomen. The optimal amplitude and phase settings generating the best B1 homogeneity in the phantoms were used in pTx-CEST scans of the human study. The comparison of the maximum achievable saturation duration between the non-pTx-CEST and pTx-CEST sequences was performed in a protein phantom, healthy volunteers, and a metastatic brain tumor patient. The optimal amplitude ratio and phase difference setting between transmit channels manifested circular and elliptical polarization in the head-sized and abdomen-sized phantoms. In the brain, the maximum saturation durations achieved at a 100% duty cycle using the simultaneous pTx-CEST sequence were prolonged to 2240, 3220, and 4200 ms compared with 980 ms using the non-pTx-CEST sequence at repetition times of 3, 4, and 5 s, respectively. The longer saturation duration helped improve the image contrast between the tumor and the normal tissue in the patient. The optimized elliptical polarization mode saturation pulses yielded improved uniformity of CEST signals acquired from the human abdomen. The proposed simultaneous pTx-CEST sequence enabled essentially arbitrarily long saturation duration at a 100% duty cycle and helped reduce the dielectric shading effects with the optimized RF setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihua Qian
- Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ruibin Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhe Wu
- Techna Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yi-Cheng Hsu
- MR Collaboration, Siemens Healthcare Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Caixia Fu
- MR Application Development, Siemens Shenzhen Magnetic Resonance Ltd., Shenzhen, China
| | - Yi Sun
- MR Collaboration, Siemens Healthcare Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Wu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Sun PZ. Generalization of quasi-steady-state reconstruction to CEST MRI with two-tiered RF saturation and gradient-echo readout-Synergistic nuclear Overhauser enhancement contribution to brain tumor amide proton transfer-weighted MRI. Magn Reson Med 2023; 89:2014-2023. [PMID: 36579767 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE While amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) MRI has been adopted in tumor imaging, there are concurrent APT, magnetization transfer, and nuclear Overhauser enhancement changes. Also, the APTw image is confounded by relaxation changes, particularly when the relaxation delay and saturation time are not sufficiently long. Our study aimed to extend a quasi-steady-state (QUASS) solution to determine the contribution of the multipool CEST signals to the observed tumor APTw contrast. METHODS Our study derived the QUASS solution for a multislice CEST-MRI sequence with an interleaved RF saturation and gradient-echo readout between signal averaging. Multiparametric MRI scans were obtained in rat brain tumor models, including T1 , T2 , diffusion, and CEST scans. Finally, we performed spinlock model-based multipool fitting to determine multiple concurrent CEST signal changes in the tumor. RESULTS The QUASS APTw MRI showed small but significant differences in normal and tumor tissues and their contrast from the acquired asymmetry calculation. The spinlock model-based fitting showed significant differences in semisolid magnetization transfer, amide, and nuclear Overhauser enhancement effects between the apparent and QUASS CEST MRI. In addition, we determined that the tumor APTw contrast is due to synergistic APT increase (+3.5 ppm) and NOE decrease (-3.5 ppm), with their relative contribution being about one third and two thirds under a moderate B1 of 0.75 μT at 4.7 T. CONCLUSION Our study generalized QUASS analysis to gradient-echo image readout and quantified the underlying tumor CEST signal changes, providing an improved elucidation of the commonly used APTw MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Emory Primate Imaging Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Sun PZ. Demonstration of accurate multi-pool chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI quantification - Quasi-steady-state reconstruction empowered quantitative CEST analysis. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2023; 348:107379. [PMID: 36689786 PMCID: PMC10023465 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2023.107379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is sensitive to dilute labile protons and microenvironment properties, yet CEST quantification has been challenging. This difficulty is because the CEST measurement depends not only on the underlying CEST system but also on the scan protocols, including RF saturation amplitude, duration, and repetition time. In addition, T1 normalization is not straightforward under non-equilibrium conditions. Recently, a quasi-steady-state (QUASS) algorithm was established to reconstruct the desired equilibrium state from experimental measurements. Our study aimed to determine the accuracy of spinlock-model-based multi-pool CEST quantification using numerical simulations and phantom experiments. In short, CEST Z-spectra were simulated for a representative 3-pool model, and CEST amplitudes were solved with spinlock model-based multi-pool fitting and assessed as a function of RF saturation time (Ts), repetition time (TR), and T1. Although the apparent CEST signals showed significant T1 dependence, such relationships were not observed following QUASS reconstruction. To test the accuracy of T1 correction, a multi-vial phantom of nicotinamide and creatine was doped with manganese chloride, resulting in T1 ranging from 1 s to beyond 2 s. The multi-labile signals determined from the routine measurements showed significant dependence on Ts, TR, and T1. In contrast, CEST signals from the QUASS reconstruction showed consistent quantification independent of such variables. To summarize, our study demonstrated that accurate CEST quantification is feasible in multi-pool CEST systems with the spinlock-model-based fitting of QUASS CEST MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Primate Imaging Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.
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Ji Y, Lu D, Sun PZ, Zhou IY. In vivo pH mapping with omega plot-based quantitative chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI. Magn Reson Med 2023; 89:299-307. [PMID: 36089834 PMCID: PMC9617761 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is promising for detecting dilute metabolites and microenvironment properties, which has been increasingly adopted in imaging disorders such as acute stroke and cancer. However, in vivo CEST MRI quantification remains challenging because routine asymmetry analysis (MTRasym ) or Lorentzian decoupling measures a combined effect of the labile proton concentration and its exchange rate. Therefore, our study aimed to quantify amide proton concentration and exchange rate independently in a cardiac arrest-induced global ischemia rat model. METHODS The amide proton CEST (APT) effect was decoupled from tissue water, macromolecular magnetization transfer, nuclear Overhauser enhancement, guanidinium, and amine protons using the image downsampling expedited adaptive least-squares (IDEAL) fitting algorithm on Z-spectra obtained under multiple RF saturation power levels, before and after global ischemia. Omega plot analysis was applied to determine amide proton concentration and exchange rate simultaneously. RESULTS Global ischemia induces a significant APT signal drop from intact tissue. Using the modified omega plot analysis, we found that the amide proton exchange rate decreased from 29.6 ± 5.6 to 12.1 ± 1.3 s-1 (P < 0.001), whereas the amide proton concentration showed little change (0.241 ± 0.035% vs. 0.202 ± 0.034%, P = 0.074) following global ischemia. CONCLUSION Our study determined the labile proton concentration and exchange rate underlying the in vivo APT MRI. The significant change in the exchange rate, but not the concentration of amide proton demonstrated that the pH effect dominates the APT contrast during tissue ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Ji
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB Division, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Dongshuang Lu
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Emory Primate Imaging Center, Emory Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Iris Y. Zhou
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
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Sun PZ. Quasi-steady-state amide proton transfer (QUASS APT) MRI enhances pH-weighted imaging of acute stroke. Magn Reson Med 2022; 88:2633-2644. [PMID: 36178234 PMCID: PMC9529238 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging measurement depends not only on the labile proton concentration and pH-dependent exchange rate but also on experimental conditions, including the relaxation delay and radiofrequency (RF) saturation time. Our study aimed to extend a quasi-steady-state (QUASS) solution to a modified multi-slice CEST MRI sequence and test if it provides enhanced pH imaging after acute stroke. METHODS Our study derived the QUASS solution for a modified multislice CEST MRI sequence with an unevenly segmented RF saturation between image readout and signal averaging. Numerical simulation was performed to test if the generalized QUASS solution corrects the impact of insufficiently long relaxation delay, primary and secondary saturation times, and multi-slice readout. In addition, multiparametric MRI scans were obtained after middle cerebral artery occlusion, including relaxation and CEST Z-spectrum, to evaluate the performance of QUASS CEST MRI in a rodent acute stroke model. We also performed Lorentzian fitting to isolate multi-pool CEST contributions. RESULTS The QUASS analysis enhanced pH-weighted magnetization transfer asymmetry contrast over the routine apparent CEST measurements in both contralateral normal (-3.46% ± 0.62% (apparent) vs. -3.67% ± 0.66% (QUASS), P < 0.05) and ischemic tissue (-5.53% ± 0.68% (apparent) vs. -5.94% ± 0.73% (QUASS), P < 0.05). Lorentzian fitting also showed significant differences between routine and QUASS analysis of ischemia-induced changes in magnetization transfer, amide, amine, guanidyl CEST, and nuclear Overhauser enhancement (-1.6 parts per million) effects. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that generalized QUASS analysis enhanced pH MRI contrast and improved quantification of the underlying CEST contrast mechanism, promising for further in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Imaging Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta GA
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta GA
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Liu Z, Yang Q, Luo H, Luo D, Qian L, Liu X, Zheng H, Sun PZ, Wu Y. Demonstration of fast and equilibrium human muscle creatine CEST imaging at 3 T. Magn Reson Med 2022; 88:322-331. [PMID: 35324024 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Creatine chemical exchange saturation transfer (CrCEST) MRI is used increasingly in muscle imaging. However, the CrCEST measurement depends on the RF saturation duration (Ts) and relaxation delay (Td), and it is challenging to compare the results of different scan parameters. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the quasi-steady-state (QUASS) CrCEST MRI on clinical 3T scanners. METHODS T1 and CEST MRI scans of Ts/Td of 1 s/1 s and 2 s/2 s were obtained from a multi-compartment creatine phantom and 5 healthy volunteers. The CrCEST effect was quantified with asymmetry analysis in the phantom, whereas 5-pool Lorentzian fitting was applied to isolate creatine from phosphocreatine, amide proton transfer, combined magnetization transfer and nuclear Overhauser enhancement effects, and direct water saturation in four major muscle groups of the lower leg. The routine and QUASS CrCEST measurements were compared under two different imaging conditions. Paired Student's t-test was performed with p-values less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS The phantom study showed a substantial influence of Ts/Td on the routine CrCEST quantification (p = 0.02), and such impact was mitigated with the QUASS algorithm (p = 0.20). The volunteer experiment showed that the routine CrCEST, amide proton transfer, and combined magnetization transfer and nuclear Overhauser enhancement effects increased significantly with Ts and Td (p < 0.05) and were significantly smaller than the corresponding QUASS indices (p < 0.01). In comparison, the QUASS CrCEST MRI showed little dependence on Ts and Td, indicating its robustness and accuracy. CONCLUSION The QUASS CrCEST MRI is feasible to provide fast and accurate muscle creatine imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Liu
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Honghong Luo
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dehong Luo
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Long Qian
- MR Research, GE Healthcare, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hairong Zheng
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yin Wu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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Sun PZ. Consistent depiction of the acidic ischemic lesion with APT MRI-Dual RF power evaluation of pH-sensitive image in acute stroke. Magn Reson Med 2022; 87:850-858. [PMID: 34590730 PMCID: PMC8627494 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) MRI provides a non-invasive pH-sensitive image, complementing perfusion and diffusion imaging for refined stratification of ischemic tissue. Although the commonly used magnetization transfer (MT) asymmetry (MTRasym ) calculation reasonably corrects the direct RF saturation effect, it is susceptible to the concomitant semisolid macromolecular MT contribution. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the performance of MTRasym and magnetization transfer and relaxation-normalized APT (MRAPT) analyses under 2 representative experimental conditions. METHODS Multiparametric MRI scans were performed in a rodent model of acute stroke, including relaxation, diffusion, and Z spectral images under 2 representative RF levels of 0.75 and 1.5 µT. Both MTRasym and MRAPT values in the ischemic diffusion lesion and the contralateral normal areas were compared using correlation and Bland-Altman tests. In addition, the acidic lesion volumes were compared. RESULTS MRAPT measurements from the diffusion lesion under the 2 conditions were highly correlated (R2 = 0.97) versus MTRasym measures (R2 = 0.58). The pH lesion sizes determined from MRAPT analysis were in good agreement (178 ± 43 mm3 vs. 186 ± 55 mm3 for B1 of 0.75 and 1.5 µT, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrated that MRAPT analysis could be generalized to moderately different RF amplitudes, providing a more consistent depiction of acidic lesions than the MTRasym analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA,Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta GA,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta GA,Corresponding Author: Phillip Zhe Sun, Ph.D., Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 954 Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, Phone: (404) 727-7786; (404) 712-1667,
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11
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Wu Y, Liu Z, Yang Q, Zou L, Zhang F, Qian L, Liu X, Zheng H, Luo D, Sun PZ. Fast and equilibrium CEST imaging of brain tumor patients at 3T. Neuroimage Clin 2021; 33:102890. [PMID: 34864285 PMCID: PMC8645967 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI, versatile for detecting endogenous mobile proteins and tissue pH, has proved valuable in tumor imaging. However, CEST MRI scans are often performed under non-equilibrium conditions, which confound tissue characterization. This study proposed a quasi-steady-state (QUASS) CEST MRI algorithm to standardize fast and accurate tumor imaging at 3 T. The CEST signal evolution was modeled by longitudinal relaxation rate during relaxation delay (Td) and spinlock relaxation during RF saturation time (Ts), from which the QUASS CEST effect is derived. Numerical simulation and human MR imaging experiments (7 healthy volunteers and 19 tumor patients) were conducted at 3 T to compare the CEST measurements obtained under two representative experimental conditions. In addition, amide proton transfer (APT), combined magnetization transfer (MT) and nuclear overhauser enhancement (NOE) effects, and direct water saturation were isolated using a 3-pool Lorentzian fitting in white matter and gray matter of healthy volunteers and for patients in the contralateral normal-appearing white matter and tumor regions. Finally, the student's t-test was performed between conventional and QUASS CEST measurements. The routine APT and combined MT & NOE measures significantly varied with Ts and Td (P < .001) and were significantly smaller than the corresponding QUASS indices (P < .001). In contrast, the results from the QUASS reconstruction showed little dependence on the scan protocol (P > .05), indicating the accuracy and robustness of QUASS CEST MRI for tumor imaging. To summarize, the QUASS CEST reconstruction algorithm enables fast and accurate tumor CEST imaging at 3 T, promising to expedite and standardize clinical CEST MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Wu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China,Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhou Liu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China,Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Liyan Zou
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Long Qian
- MR Research, GE Healthcare, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China,Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Hairong Zheng
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China,Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Dehong Luo
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,Corresponding author at: Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 954 Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
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12
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Kim H, Krishnamurthy LC, Sun PZ. Demonstration of fast multi-slice quasi-steady-state chemical exchange saturation transfer (QUASS CEST) human brain imaging at 3T. Magn Reson Med 2021; 87:810-819. [PMID: 34590726 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To combine multi-slice chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging with quasi-steady-state (QUASS) processing and demonstrate the feasibility of fast QUASS CEST MRI at 3T. METHODS Fast multi-slice echo planar imaging (EPI) CEST imaging was developed with concatenated slice acquisition after single radiofrequency irradiation. The multi-slice CEST signal evolution was described by the spin-lock relaxation during saturation duration (Ts ) and longitudinal relaxation during the relaxation delay time (Td ) and post-label delay (PLD), from which the QUASS CEST was generalized to fast multi-slice acquisition. In addition, numerical simulations, phantom, and normal human subjects scans were performed to compare the conventional apparent and QUASS CEST measurements with different Ts , Td, and PLD. RESULTS The numerical simulation showed that the apparent CEST effect strongly depends on Ts , Td , and PLD, while the QUASS CEST algorithm minimizes such dependences. In the L-carnosine gel phantom, the proposed QUASS CEST effects (2.68 ± 0.12% [mean ± SD]) were higher than the apparent CEST effects (1.85 ± 0.26%, p < 5e-4). In the human brain imaging, Bland-Altman analysis bias of the proposed QUASS CEST effects was much smaller than the PLD-corrected apparent CEST effects (0.03% vs. -0.54%), indicating the proposed fast multi-slice CEST imaging is robust and accurate. CONCLUSIONS The QUASS processing enables fast multi-slice CEST imaging with minimal loss in the measurement of the CEST effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hahnsung Kim
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lisa C Krishnamurthy
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA, Decatur, Georgia, USA.,Department of Physics & Astronomy, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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13
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Sun PZ. Quasi-steady-state chemical exchange saturation transfer (QUASS CEST) MRI analysis enables T 1 normalized CEST quantification - Insight into T 1 contribution to CEST measurement. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2021; 329:107022. [PMID: 34144360 PMCID: PMC8316384 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2021.107022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI depends not only on the labile proton concentration and exchange rate but also on relaxation rates, particularly T1 relaxation time. However, T1 normalization has shown to be not straightforward under non-steady-state conditions and in the presence of radiofrequency spillover effect. Our study aimed to test if the combined use of the new quasi-steady-state (QUASS) analysis and inverse CEST calculation facilitates T1 normalization for improved CEST quantification. The CEST signal was simulated with Bloch-McConnell equations, and the apparent CEST, QUASS CEST, and the inverse CEST effects were calculated. T1-normalized CEST effects were tested for their specificity to the underlying CEST system (i.e., labile proton ratio and exchange rate). CEST experiments were performed from a 9-vial phantom of independently varied concentrations of creatine (20, 40, and 60 mM) and manganese chloride (20, 30, and 40 µM) under a range of RF saturation amplitudes (0.5-4 µT) and durations (1-4 s). The simulation showed that while T1 normalization of the apparent CEST effect was subject to noticeable T1 contamination, the T1-normalized inverse QUASS CEST effect had little T1 dependence. The experimental data were analyzed using a multiple linear regression model, showing that T1-normalized inverse QUASS analysis significantly depended on creatine concentration and saturation power (P < 0.05), not on manganese chloride concentration and saturation duration, advantageous over other CEST indices. The QUASS CEST algorithm reconstructs the steady-state CEST effect, enabling T1-normalized inverse CEST effect calculation for improved quantification of the underlying CEST system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta GA, United States.
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14
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Zhang XY, Zhai Y, Jin Z, Li C, Sun PZ, Wu Y. Preliminary demonstration of in vivo quasi-steady-state CEST postprocessing-Correction of saturation time and relaxation delay for robust quantification of tumor MT and APT effects. Magn Reson Med 2021; 86:943-953. [PMID: 33723890 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is versatile for measuring the dilute labile protons and microenvironment properties. However, the use of insufficiently long RF saturation duration (Ts) and relaxation delay (Td) may underestimate the CEST measurement. This study proposed a quasi-steady-state (QUASS) CEST analysis for robust CEST quantification. METHODS The CEST signal evolution was modeled as a function of the longitudinal relaxation rate during Td and spin-lock relaxation rate during Ts, from which the QUASS-CEST effect is derived. Numerical simulation and in vivo rat glioma MRI experiments were conducted at 11.7 T to compare the apparent and QUASS-CEST results obtained under different Ts/Td of 2 seconds/2 seconds and 4 seconds/4 seconds. Magnetization transfer and amide proton transfer effects were resolved using a multipool Lorentzian fitting and evaluated in contralateral normal tissue and tumor regions. RESULTS The simulation showed the dependence of the apparent CEST effect on Ts and Td, and such reliance was mitigated with the QUASS algorithm. Animal experiment results showed that the apparent magnetization transfer and amide proton transfer effects and their contrast between contralateral normal tissue and tumor regions increased substantially with Ts and Td. In comparison, the QUASS magnetization transfer and amide proton transfer effects and their difference between contralateral normal tissue and tumor exhibited little dependence on Ts and Td. In addition, the apparent magnetization transfer and amide proton transfer were significantly smaller than the corresponding QUASS indices (P < .05). CONCLUSION The QUASS-CEST algorithm enables robust CEST quantification and offers a straightforward approach to standardize CEST experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yong Zhang
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuting Zhai
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziyi Jin
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Li
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yin Wu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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15
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Sun PZ. Quasi-steady-state CEST (QUASS CEST) solution improves the accuracy of CEST quantification: QUASS CEST MRI-based omega plot analysis. Magn Reson Med 2021; 86:765-776. [PMID: 33749052 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE CEST MRI omega plot quantifies the labile proton fraction ratio (fr ) and exchange rate (ksw ), yet it assumes long RF saturation time (Ts) and relaxation delay (Td). Our study aimed to test if a quasi-steady-state (QUASS) CEST analysis that accounts for the effect of finite Ts and Td could improve the accuracy of CEST MRI quantification. METHODS We modeled the MRI signal evolution using a typical CEST EPI sequence. The signal relaxes toward its thermal equilibrium following the bulk water relaxation rate during Td, and then toward its CEST steady state following the spin-lock relaxation rate during Ts from which the QUASS CEST effect is derived. Both fr and ksw were solved from simulated conventional apparent CEST and QUASS CEST MRI. We also performed MRI experiments from a Cr-gel phantom under serially varied Ts and Td times from 1.5 to 7.5 s. RESULTS Simulation showed that, although ksw could be slightly overestimated (3%-15%) for the range of Ts and Td, fr could be substantially underestimated by as much as 67%. In contrast, the QUASS solution provided accurate ksw and fr determination within 2%. The CEST MRI experiments confirmed that the QUASS solution enabled robust quantification of ksw and fr , superior over the omega plot analysis based on the conventional apparent CEST MRI measurements. CONCLUSIONS The QUASS CEST MRI algorithm corrects the effect of finite Ts and Td times on CEST measurements, thereby allowing robust and accurate CEST quantification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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16
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Sun PZ. Quasi-steady state chemical exchange saturation transfer (QUASS CEST) analysis-correction of the finite relaxation delay and saturation time for robust CEST measurement. Magn Reson Med 2021; 85:3281-3289. [PMID: 33486816 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE CEST provides a MR contrast mechanism sensitizing to the exchange between dilute labile and bulk water protons. However, the CEST effect depends on the RF saturation duration and relaxation delay, which need to be long to reach its steady state. Our study aims to estimate the QUAsi-Steady State (QUASS) CEST signal from experiments with shorter saturation and relaxation delay times. METHODS The evolution of the CEST signal was modeled as a function of the bulk water longitudinal relaxation rate during the relaxation delay (Td) and spin-lock relaxation rate during the RF saturation (Ts), from which the QUASS CEST effect is solved. Numeric simulations were programmed to compare the apparent CEST and QUASS CEST effects as a function of Ts and Td times. We also performed CEST MRI experiments from a creatine-gel pH phantom under serially varied Ts and Td times. RESULTS The numeric simulation showed that although the apparent CEST effect depends on Td and Ts, the QUASS CEST solution has little dependence. Phantom results showed that the routine CEST pH contrast could be described by a nonlinear regression model (ie, Δ C E S T R = Δ C E S T R eq app 1 - e - R 1 ρ app · t ). We had Δ C E S T R eq app = 3.90 ± 0.03 % (P < 5e-8) and R 1 ρ app = 0.62 ± 0.02 s - 1 (P < 5e-6). For the QUASS CEST analysis, we modeled the pH contrast as Δ C E S T R = Δ C E S T R eq QUASS + s · t , using a linear regression model. We had Δ C E S T R eq QUASS = 3.63 ± 0.01 % (P < 5e-9) and s = - 0.02 ± 0.00 % / s (P < 0.01), the slope of which is minimal. CONCLUSIONS The QUASS CEST algorithm provides a post-processing solution that facilitates robust CEST measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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17
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Kim H, Krishnamurthy LC, Sun PZ. Brain pH Imaging and its Applications. Neuroscience 2021; 474:51-62. [PMID: 33493621 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Acid-base homeostasis and pH regulation are critical for normal tissue metabolism and physiology, and brain tissue pH alters in many diseased states. Several noninvasive tissue pH Magnetic Resonance (MR) techniques have been developed over the past few decades to shed light on pH change during tissue function and dysfunction. Nevertheless, there are still challenges for mapping brain pH noninvasively at high spatiotemporal resolution. To address this unmet biomedical need, chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MR techniques have been developed as a sensitive means for non-invasive pH mapping. This article briefly reviews the basic principles of different pH measurement techniques with a focus on CEST imaging of pH. Emerging pH imaging applications in the tumor are provided as examples throughout the narrative, and CEST pH imaging in acute stroke is discussed in the final section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hahnsung Kim
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Lisa C Krishnamurthy
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA, Decatur, GA, United States; Department of Physics & Astronomy, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.
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18
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Wu L, Jiang L, Sun PZ. Investigating the origin of pH-sensitive magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry MRI contrast during the acute stroke: Correction of T 1 change reveals the dominant amide proton transfer MRI signal. Magn Reson Med 2020; 84:2702-2712. [PMID: 32416012 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Amide proton transfer (APT) MRI is promising to serve as a surrogate metabolic imaging biomarker of acute stroke. Although the magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym ) has been used commonly, the origin of pH-weighted MRI effect remains an area of investigation, including contributions from APT, semisolid MT contrast asymmetry, and nuclear Overhauser enhancement effects. Our study aimed to determine the origin of pH-weighted MTRasym contrast following acute stroke. METHODS Multiparametric MRI, including T1 , T2 , diffusion and Z-spectrum, were performed in rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion. We analyzed the conventional Z-spectrum I Δ ω I 0 and the apparent exchange spectrum R ex Δ ω , being the difference between the relaxation-scaled inverse Z-spectrum and the intrinsic spinlock relaxation rate R 1 · cos 2 θ · I 0 I Δ ω - R 1 ρ Δ ω . The ischemia-induced change was calculated as the spectral difference between the diffusion lesion and the contralateral normal area. RESULTS The conventional Z-spectrum signal change at -3.5 ppm dominates that at +3.5 ppm (-1.16 ± 0.39% vs. 0.76 ± 0.26%, P < .01) following acute stroke. In comparison, the magnitude of ΔRex change at 3.5 ppm becomes significantly larger than that at -3.5 ppm (-2.80 ± 0.40% vs. -0.94 ± 0.80%, P < .001), with their SNR being 7.0 and 1.2, respectively. We extended the magnetization transfer and relaxation normalized APT concept to the apparent exchange-dependent relaxation image, documenting an enhanced pH contrast between the ischemic lesion and the intact tissue, over that of MTRasym . CONCLUSION Our study shows that after the relaxation-effect correction, the APT effect is the dominant contributing factor to pH-weighted MTRasym following acute stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limin Wu
- Neuroscience Center and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Liang Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwestern Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.,Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
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19
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Jia Y, Wang C, Zheng J, Lin G, Ni D, Shen Z, Huang B, Li Y, Guan J, Hong W, Chen Y, Wu R. Novel nanomedicine with a chemical-exchange saturation transfer effect for breast cancer treatment in vivo. J Nanobiotechnology 2019; 17:123. [PMID: 31847857 PMCID: PMC6918642 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-019-0557-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nanomedicine is a promising new approach to cancer treatment that avoids the disadvantages of traditional chemotherapy and improves therapeutic indices. However, the lack of a real-time visualization imaging technology to monitor drug distribution greatly limits its clinical application. Image-tracked drug delivery is of great clinical interest; it is useful for identifying those patients for whom the therapy is more likely to be beneficial. This paper discusses a novel nanomedicine that displays features of nanoparticles and facilitates functional magnetic resonance imaging but is challenging to prepare. RESULTS To achieve this goal, we synthesized an acylamino-containing amphiphilic block copolymer (polyethylene glycol-polyacrylamide-polyacetonitrile, PEG-b-P(AM-co-AN)) by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The PEG-b-P(AM-co-AN) has chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) effects, which enable the use of CEST imaging for monitoring nanocarrier accumulation and providing molecular information of pathological tissues. Based on PEG-b-P(AM-co-AN), a new nanomedicine PEG-PAM-PAN@DOX was constructed by nano-precipitation. The self-assembling nature of PEG-PAM-PAN@DOX made the synthesis effective, straightforward, and biocompatible. In vitro studies demonstrate decreased cytotoxicity of PEG-PAM-PAN@DOX compared to free doxorubicin (half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50), mean ~ 0.62 μg/mL vs. ~ 5 μg/mL), and the nanomedicine more efficiently entered the cytoplasm and nucleus of cancer cells to kill them. Further, in vivo animal experiments showed that the nanomedicine developed was not only effective against breast cancer, but also displayed an excellent sensitive CEST effect for monitoring drug accumulation (at about 0.5 ppm) in tumor areas. The CEST signal of post-injection 2 h was significantly higher than that of pre-injection (2.17 ± 0.88% vs. 0. 09 ± 0.75%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The nanomedicine with CEST imaging reflects the characterization of tumors and therapeutic functions has great potential medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlong Jia
- Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaochao Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiehua Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Guisen Lin
- Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Dalong Ni
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Zhiwei Shen
- Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Baoxuan Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Jitian Guan
- Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Weida Hong
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanfeng Chen
- Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Renhua Wu
- Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, People's Republic of China.
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Luo J, Abaci Turk E, Gagoski B, Copeland N, Zhou IY, Young V, Bibbo C, Robinson JN, Zera C, Barth WH, Roberts DJ, Sun PZ, Grant PE. Preliminary evaluation of dynamic glucose enhanced MRI of the human placenta during glucose tolerance test. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2019; 9:1619-1627. [PMID: 31728306 DOI: 10.21037/qims.2019.09.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background To investigate dynamic glucose enhanced (DGE) chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI as a means to non-invasively image glucose transport in the human placenta. Methods Continuous wave (CW) CEST MRI was performed at 3.0 Tesla. The glucose contrast enhancement (GCE) was calculated based on the magnetization transfer asymmetry (MTRasym), and the DGE was calculated with the positive side of Z-spectra in reference to the first time point. The glucose CEST (GlucoCEST) was optimized using a glucose solution phantom. Glucose solution perfused ex vivo placenta tissue was used to demonstrate GlucoCEST MRI effect. The vascular density of ex vivo placental tissue was evaluated with yellow dye after MRI scans. Finally, we preliminarily demonstrated GlucoCEST MRI in five pregnant subjects who received a glucose tolerance test. For human studies, the dynamic R2* change was captured with T2*-weighted echo planar imaging (EPI). Results The GCE effect peaks at a saturation B1 field of about 2 μT, and the GlucoCEST effect increases linearly with the glucose concentration between 4-20 mM. In ex vivo tissue, the GlucoCEST MRI was sensitive to the glucose perfusate and the placenta vascular density. Although the in vivo GCE baseline was sensitive to field inhomogeneity and motion artifacts, the temporal evolution of the GlucoCEST effect showed a consistent and positive response after oral glucose tolerance drink. Conclusions Despite the challenges of placental motion and field inhomogeneity, our study demonstrated the feasibility of DGE placenta MRI at 3.0 Tesla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Luo
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.,Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Esra Abaci Turk
- Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Borjan Gagoski
- Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Natalie Copeland
- Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Iris Y Zhou
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Vanessa Young
- Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carolina Bibbo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julian N Robinson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chloe Zera
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William H Barth
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Drucilla J Roberts
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - P Ellen Grant
- Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Ellingson BM, Yao J, Raymond C, Chakhoyan A, Khatibi K, Salamon N, Villablanca JP, Wanner I, Real CR, Laiwalla A, McArthur DL, Monti MM, Hovda DA, Vespa PM. pH-weighted molecular MRI in human traumatic brain injury (TBI) using amine proton chemical exchange saturation transfer echoplanar imaging (CEST EPI). Neuroimage Clin 2019; 22:101736. [PMID: 30826686 PMCID: PMC6396390 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.101736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral acidosis is a consequence of secondary injury mechanisms following traumatic brain injury (TBI), including excitotoxicity and ischemia, with potentially significant clinical implications. However, there remains an unmet clinical need for technology for non-invasive, high resolution pH imaging of human TBI for studying metabolic changes following injury. The current study examined 17 patients with TBI and 20 healthy controls using amine chemical exchange saturation transfer echoplanar imaging (CEST EPI), a novel pH-weighted molecular MR imaging technique, on a clinical 3T MR scanner. Results showed significantly elevated pH-weighted image contrast (MTRasym at 3 ppm) in areas of T2 hyperintensity or edema (P < 0.0001), and a strong negative correlation with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at the time of the MRI exam (R2 = 0.4777, P = 0.0021), Glasgow Outcome Scale - Extended (GOSE) at 6 months from injury (R2 = 0.5334, P = 0.0107), and a non-linear correlation with the time from injury to MRI exam (R2 = 0.6317, P = 0.0004). This evidence suggests clinical feasibility and potential value of pH-weighted amine CEST EPI as a high-resolution imaging tool for identifying tissue most at risk for long-term damage due to cerebral acidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M Ellingson
- UCLA Center for Computer Vision and Imaging Biomarkers, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dept. of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Jingwen Yao
- UCLA Center for Computer Vision and Imaging Biomarkers, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dept. of Bioengineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Catalina Raymond
- UCLA Center for Computer Vision and Imaging Biomarkers, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dept. of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ararat Chakhoyan
- UCLA Center for Computer Vision and Imaging Biomarkers, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dept. of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kasra Khatibi
- Dept. of Neurosurgery, UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Noriko Salamon
- Dept. of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - J Pablo Villablanca
- Dept. of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ina Wanner
- Dept. of Neurosurgery, UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Courtney R Real
- Dept. of Neurosurgery, UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Azim Laiwalla
- Dept. of Neurosurgery, UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David L McArthur
- Dept. of Neurosurgery, UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Martin M Monti
- Dept. of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dept. of Neurosurgery, UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David A Hovda
- Dept. of Neurosurgery, UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Paul M Vespa
- Dept. of Neurosurgery, UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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22
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Wang E, Wu Y, Cheung JS, Igarashi T, Wu L, Zhang X, Sun PZ. Mapping tissue pH in an experimental model of acute stroke - Determination of graded regional tissue pH changes with non-invasive quantitative amide proton transfer MRI. Neuroimage 2019; 191:610-617. [PMID: 30753926 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
pH-weighted amide proton transfer (APT) MRI is sensitive to tissue pH change during acute ischemia, complementing conventional perfusion and diffusion stroke imaging. However, the currently used pH-weighted magnetization transfer (MT) ratio asymmetry (MTRasym) analysis is of limited pH specificity. To overcome this, MT and relaxation normalized APT (MRAPT) analysis has been developed that to homogenize the background signal, thus providing highly pH conspicuous measurement. Our study aimed to calibrate MRAPT MRI toward absolute tissue pH mapping and determine regional pH changes during acute stroke. Using middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats, we performed lactate MR spectroscopy and multi-parametric MRI. MRAPT MRI was calibrated against a region of interest (ROI)-based pH spectroscopy measurement (R2 = 0.70, P < 0.001), showing noticeably higher correlation coefficient than the simplistic MTRasym index. Capitalizing on this, we mapped brain tissue pH and semi-automatically segmented pH lesion, in addition to routine perfusion and diffusion lesions. Tissue pH from regions of the contralateral normal, perfusion/diffusion lesion mismatch and diffusion lesion was found to be 7.03 ± 0.04, 6.84 ± 0.10, 6.52 ± 0.19, respectively. Most importantly, we delineated the heterogeneous perfusion/diffusion lesion mismatch into perfusion/pH and pH/diffusion lesion mismatches, with their pH being 7.01 ± 0.04 and 6.71 ± 0.12, respectively (P < 0.05). To summarize, our study calibrated pH-sensitive MRAPT MRI toward absolute tissue pH mapping, semi-automatically segmented and determined graded tissue pH changes in ischemic tissue and demonstrated its feasibility for refined demarcation of heterogeneous metabolic disruption following acute stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enfeng Wang
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, 3rd Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Henan, China
| | - Yin Wu
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA; Paul C. Lauterbur Research Centre for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jerry S Cheung
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Takahiro Igarashi
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Limin Wu
- Neuroscience Center and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Xiaoan Zhang
- Department of Radiology, 3rd Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Henan, China
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
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23
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Kim B, So S, Park H. Optimization of steady-state pulsed CEST imaging for amide proton transfer at 3T MRI. Magn Reson Med 2019; 81:3616-3627. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Byungjai Kim
- Department of Electrical Engineering; Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST); Daejeon Republic of Korea
| | - Seohee So
- Department of Electrical Engineering; Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST); Daejeon Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunwook Park
- Department of Electrical Engineering; Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST); Daejeon Republic of Korea
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24
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Heo HY, Han Z, Jiang S, Schär M, van Zijl PCM, Zhou J. Quantifying amide proton exchange rate and concentration in chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging of the human brain. Neuroimage 2019; 189:202-213. [PMID: 30654175 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Current chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) neuroimaging protocols typically acquire CEST-weighted images, and, as such, do not essentially provide quantitative proton-specific exchange rates (or brain pH) and concentrations. We developed a dictionary-free MR fingerprinting (MRF) technique to allow CEST parameter quantification with a reduced data set. This was accomplished by subgrouping proton exchange models (SPEM), taking amide proton transfer (APT) as an example, into two-pool (water and semisolid macromolecules) and three-pool (water, semisolid macromolecules, and amide protons) models. A variable radiofrequency saturation scheme was used to generate unique signal evolutions for different tissues, reflecting their CEST parameters. The proposed MRF-SPEM method was validated using Bloch-McConnell equation-based digital phantoms with known ground-truth, which showed that MRF-SPEM can achieve a high degree of accuracy and precision for absolute CEST parameter quantification and CEST phantoms. For in-vivo studies at 3 T, using the same model as in the simulations, synthetic Z-spectra were generated using rates and concentrations estimated from the MRF-SPEM reconstruction and compared with experimentally measured Z-spectra as the standard for optimization. The MRF-SPEM technique can provide rapid and quantitative human brain CEST mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Young Heo
- Division of MR Research, Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Zheng Han
- Division of MR Research, Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shanshan Jiang
- Division of MR Research, Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael Schär
- Division of MR Research, Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Peter C M van Zijl
- Division of MR Research, Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jinyuan Zhou
- Division of MR Research, Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
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25
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Simegn GL, Van der Kouwe AJW, Robertson FC, Meintjes EM, Alhamud A. Real-time simultaneous shim and motion measurement and correction in glycoCEST MRI using double volumetric navigators (DvNavs). Magn Reson Med 2018; 81:2600-2613. [PMID: 30506877 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE CEST MRI allows for indirect detection of molecules with exchangeable protons, measured as a reduction in water signal because of continuous transfer of saturated protons. CEST requires saturation pulses on the order of a second, as well as repeated acquisitions at different offset frequencies. The resulting extended scan time makes CEST susceptible to subject motion, which introduces field inhomogeneity, shifting offset frequencies and causing distortions in CEST spectra that resemble true CEST effects. This is a particular problem for molecules that resonate close to water, such as hydroxyl group in glycogen. To address this, a technique for real-time measurement and correction of motion and field inhomogeneity is proposed. METHODS A CEST sequence was modified to include double volumetric navigators (DvNavs) for real-time simultaneous motion and shim correction. Phantom tests were conducted to investigate the effects of motion and shim changes on CEST quantification and to validate the accuracy of DvNav motion and shim estimates. To evaluate DvNav shim and motion correction in vivo, acquisitions including 5 experimental conditions were performed in the calf muscle of 2 volunteers. RESULTS Phantom data show that DvNav-CEST accurately estimates frequency and linear gradient changes because of motion and corrects resulting image distortions. In addition, DvNav-CEST improves CEST quantification in vivo in the presence of motion. CONCLUSION The proposed technique allows for real-time simultaneous motion and shim correction with no additional scanning time, enabling accurate CEST quantification even in the presence of motion and field inhomogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizeaddis L Simegn
- UCT Medical Imaging Research Unit, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andre J W Van der Kouwe
- UCT Medical Imaging Research Unit, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging/MGH, Charlestown, Massachusetts.,Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Frances C Robertson
- UCT Medical Imaging Research Unit, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Cape Universities Body Imaging Centre (CUBIC-UCT), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ernesta M Meintjes
- UCT Medical Imaging Research Unit, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Cape Universities Body Imaging Centre (CUBIC-UCT), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ali Alhamud
- UCT Medical Imaging Research Unit, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Cape Universities Body Imaging Centre (CUBIC-UCT), Cape Town, South Africa
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26
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Heo HY, Zhang Y, Jiang S, Zhou J. Influences of experimental parameters on chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) metrics of brain tumors using animal models at 4.7T. Magn Reson Med 2018; 81:316-330. [PMID: 30125383 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the dependence of magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry at 3.5 ppm (MTRasym (3.5 ppm)), quantitative amide proton transfer (APT# ), and nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE# ) signals or contrasts on experimental imaging parameters. METHODS Modified Bloch equation-based simulations using 2-pool and 5-pool exchange models and in vivo rat brain tumor experiments at 4.7T were performed with varied RF saturation power levels, saturation lengths, and relaxation delays. The MTRasym (3.5 ppm), APT# , and NOE# contrasts between tumor and normal tissues were compared among different experimental parameters. RESULTS The MTRasym (3.5 ppm) image contrasts between tumor and normal tissues initially increased with the RF saturation length, and the maxima occurred at 1.6-2 s under relatively high RF saturation powers (>2.1 μT) and at a longer saturation length under relatively low RF saturation powers (<1.3 μT). The APT# contrasts also increased with the RF saturation length but peaked at longer RF saturation lengths relative to MTRasym (3.5 ppm). The NOE# contrasts were either positive or negative, depending on the experimental parameters applied. CONCLUSION Tumor MTRasym (3.5 ppm), APT# , and NOE# contrasts can be maximized at different saturation parameters. The maximum MTRasym (3.5 ppm) contrast can be obtained with a relatively longer RF saturation length (several seconds) at a relatively lower RF saturation power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Young Heo
- Divison of MR Research, Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Yi Zhang
- Divison of MR Research, Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shanshan Jiang
- Divison of MR Research, Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jinyuan Zhou
- Divison of MR Research, Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
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27
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Extracellular pH is a biomarker enabling detection of breast cancer and liver cancer using CEST MRI. Oncotarget 2018; 8:45759-45767. [PMID: 28501855 PMCID: PMC5542224 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular pH (pHe) decrease is associated with tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and chemoresistance, which can be detected by chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Here, we demonstrated that ioversol CEST MRI can be exploited to achieve pHe mapping of the liver cancer microenvironment. In in vitro studies, we firstly explored whether ioversol signal is pH-dependent, and calculated the function equation between the CEST effects of ioversol and pH values, in the range of 6.0 to 7.8, by a ratiometric method. Then we verified the feasibility of this technique and the equation in vivo by applying pHe imaging in an MMTV-Erbb2 transgenic mouse breast cancer model, which is often used in CEST pHe studies. Furthermore, in vivo ioversol CEST MRI, we were able to map relative pHe and differentiate between tumor and normal tissue in a McA-RH7777 rat hepatoma model. This suggests pHe may be a useful biomarker for human liver cancer.
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28
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Tu TW, Ibrahim WG, Jikaria N, Munasinghe JP, Witko JA, Hammoud DA, Frank JA. On the detection of cerebral metabolic depression in experimental traumatic brain injury using Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST)-weighted MRI. Sci Rep 2018; 8:669. [PMID: 29330386 PMCID: PMC5766554 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-19094-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic abnormalities are commonly observed in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients exhibiting long-term neurological deficits. This study investigated the feasibility and reproducibility of using chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI to detect cerebral metabolic depression in experimental TBI. Phantom and in vivo CEST experiments were conducted at 9.4 Tesla to optimize the selective saturation for enhancing the endogenous contrast-weighting of the proton exchanges over the range of glucose proton chemical shifts (glucoCEST) in the resting rat brain. The optimized glucoCEST-weighted imaging was performed on a closed-head model of diffuse TBI in rats with 2-deoxy-D-[14C]-glucose (2DG) autoradiography validation. The results demonstrated that saturation duration of 1‒2 seconds at pulse powers 1.5‒2µT resulted in an improved contrast-to-noise ratio between the gray and white matter comparable to 2DG autoradiographs. The intrasubject (n = 4) and intersubject (n = 3) coefficient of variations for repeated glucoCEST acquisitions (n = 4) ranged between 8‒16%. Optimization for the TBI study revealed that glucoCEST-weighted images with 1.5μT power and 1 s saturation duration revealed the greatest changes in contrast before and after TBI, and positively correlated with 2DG autoradiograph (r = 0.78, p < 0.01, n = 6) observations. These results demonstrate that glucoCEST-weighted imaging may be useful in detecting metabolic abnormalities following TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsang-Wei Tu
- Frank Laboratory, Radiology & Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States. .,Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Henry Jackson Foundation, Bethesda, MD, United States. .,Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States.
| | - Wael G Ibrahim
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging, Radiology & Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Neekita Jikaria
- Frank Laboratory, Radiology & Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Henry Jackson Foundation, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Acute Stroke Research Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jeeva P Munasinghe
- Mouse Imaging Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jaclyn A Witko
- Frank Laboratory, Radiology & Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Henry Jackson Foundation, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Dima A Hammoud
- Center for Infectious Disease Imaging, Radiology & Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Joseph A Frank
- Frank Laboratory, Radiology & Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.,National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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29
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Ji Y, Zhou IY, Qiu B, Sun PZ. Progress toward quantitative in vivo chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI. Isr J Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ijch.201700025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Ji
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Rm 2301, 149 13 Street Charlestown MA 02129
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electronic Science and Technology; University of Science and Technology of China; Hefei China
| | - Iris Yuwen Zhou
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Rm 2301, 149 13 Street Charlestown MA 02129
| | - Bensheng Qiu
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electronic Science and Technology; University of Science and Technology of China; Hefei China
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Rm 2301, 149 13 Street Charlestown MA 02129
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30
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Tang X, Dai Z, Xiao G, Yan G, Shen Z, Zhang T, Zhang G, Zhuang Z, Shen Y, Zhang Z, Hu W, Wu R. Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement-Mediated Magnetization Transfer Imaging in Glioma with Different Progression at 7 T. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:60-66. [PMID: 27792315 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioma is a malignant neoplasm affecting the central nervous system. The conventional approaches to diagnosis, such as T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), and contrast-enhanced T1WI, give an oversimplified representation of anatomic structures. Nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) imaging is a special form of magnetization transfer (MT) that provides a new way to detect small solute pools through indirect measurement of attenuated water signals, and makes it possible to probe semisolid macromolecular protons. In this study, we investigated the correlation between the effect of NOE-mediated imaging and progression of glioma in a rat tumor model. We found that the NOE signal decreased in tumor region, and signal of tumor center and peritumoral normal tissue markedly decreased with growth of the glioma. At the same time, NOE signal in contralateral normal tissue dropped relatively late (at about day 16-20 after implanting the glioma cells). NOE imaging is a new contrast method that may provide helpful insights into the pathophysiology of glioma with regard to mobile proteins, lipids, and other metabolites. Further, NOE images differentiate normal brain tissue from glioma tissue at a molecular level. Our study indicates that NOE-mediated imaging is a new and promising approach for estimation of tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyong Tang
- Department of Medical Imaging, second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College , Shantou 515041, China
| | - Zhuozhi Dai
- Department of Medical Imaging, second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College , Shantou 515041, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta , Edmonton T6G 2 V2, Canada
| | - Gang Xiao
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Hanshan Normal University , Chaozhou 521041, China
| | - Gen Yan
- Department of Medical Imaging, second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College , Shantou 515041, China
| | - Zhiwei Shen
- Department of Medical Imaging, second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College , Shantou 515041, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- The First Hospital of Changsha , Changsha, Hunan 430100, China
| | - Guishan Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College , Shantou 515041, China
| | - Zerui Zhuang
- Department of Medical Imaging, second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College , Shantou 515041, China
| | - Yuanyu Shen
- Department of Medical Imaging, second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College , Shantou 515041, China
| | - Zhiyan Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College , Shantou 515041, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Medical Imaging, second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College , Shantou 515041, China
| | - Renhua Wu
- Department of Medical Imaging, second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College , Shantou 515041, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging , Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
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31
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Harris RJ, Cloughesy TF, Liau LM, Nghiemphu PL, Lai A, Pope WB, Ellingson BM. Simulation, phantom validation, and clinical evaluation of fast pH-weighted molecular imaging using amine chemical exchange saturation transfer echo planar imaging (CEST-EPI) in glioma at 3 T. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2016; 29:1563-1576. [PMID: 27717216 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.3611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Acidity within the extracellular milieu is a hallmark of cancer. There is a current need for fast, high spatial resolution pH imaging techniques for clinical evaluation of cancers, including gliomas. Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI targeting fast-exchanging amine protons can be used to obtain high-resolution pH-weighted images, but conventional CEST acquisition strategies are slow. There is also a need for more accurate MR simulations to better understand the effects of amine CEST pulse sequence parameters on pH-weighted image contrast. In the current study we present a simulation of amine CEST contrast specific for a newly developed CEST echoplanar imaging (EPI) pulse sequence. The accuracy of the simulations was validated by comparing the exchange rates and Z-spectrum under a variety of conditions using physical phantoms of glutamine with different pH values. The effects of saturation pulse shapes, pulse durations, pulse train lengths, repetition times, and relaxation rates of bulk water and exchangeable amine protons on the CEST signal were explored for normal-appearing white matter (NAWM), glioma, and cerebrospinal fluid. Last, 18 patients with WHO II-IV gliomas were evaluated. Results showed that the Z-spectrum was highly dependent on saturation pulse shape, repetition time, saturation amplitude, magnetic field strength, and T2 within bulk water; however, the Z-spectrum was only minimally influenced by saturation pulse duration and the specific relaxation rates of amine protons. Results suggest that a Gaussian saturation pulse train consisting of 3 × 100 ms pulses using the minimum allowable repetition time is optimal for achieving over 90% available contrast across all tissues. Results also demonstrate that high saturation pulse amplitude and scanner field strength (>3 T) are necessary for adequate endogenous pH-weighted amine CEST contrast. pH-weighted amine CEST contrast increased with increasing tumor grade, with glioblastoma showing significantly higher contrast compared with WHO II or III gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Harris
- UCLA Brain Tumor Imaging Laboratory (BTIL), Center for Computer Vision and Imaging Biomarkers, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Physics and Biology in Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Timothy F Cloughesy
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Linda M Liau
- UCLA Brain Research Institute (BRI), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Phioanh L Nghiemphu
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Albert Lai
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- UCLA Brain Research Institute (BRI), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Whitney B Pope
- Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Benjamin M Ellingson
- UCLA Brain Tumor Imaging Laboratory (BTIL), Center for Computer Vision and Imaging Biomarkers, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Department of Physics and Biology in Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
- UCLA Brain Research Institute (BRI), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
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Khlebnikov V, Geades N, Klomp DWJ, Hoogduin H, Gowland P, Mougin O. Comparison of pulsed three-dimensional CEST acquisition schemes at 7 tesla: steady state versus pseudosteady state. Magn Reson Med 2016; 77:2280-2287. [PMID: 27455028 PMCID: PMC5484355 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.26323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare two pulsed, volumetric chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) acquisition schemes: steady state (SS) and pseudosteady state (PS) for the same brain coverage, spatial/spectral resolution and scan time. METHODS Both schemes were optimized for maximum sensitivity to amide proton transfer (APT) and nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) effects through Bloch-McConnell simulations, and compared in terms of sensitivity to APT and NOE effects, and to transmit field inhomogeneity. Five consented healthy volunteers were scanned on a 7 Tesla Philips MR-system using the optimized protocols at three nominal B1 amplitudes: 1 μT, 2 μT, and 3 μT. RESULTS Region of interest based analysis revealed that PS is more sensitive (P < 0.05) to APT and NOE effects compared with SS at low B1 amplitudes (0.7-1.0 μT). Also, both sequences have similar dependence on the transmit field inhomogeneity. For the optimum CEST presaturation parameters (1 μT and 2 μT for APT and NOE, respectively), NOE is less sensitive to the inhomogeneity effects (15% signal to noise ratio [SNR] change for a B1 dropout of 40%) compared with APT (35% SNR change for a B1 dropout of 40%). CONCLUSION For the same brain coverage, spatial/spectral resolution and scan time, at low power levels PS is more sensitive to the slow chemical exchange-mediated processes compared with SS. Magn Reson Med 77:2280-2287, 2017. © 2016 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitaliy Khlebnikov
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Nicolas Geades
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Center, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
| | - Dennis W J Klomp
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Hoogduin
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Penny Gowland
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Center, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
| | - Olivier Mougin
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Center, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
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Guo Y, Zhou IY, Chan ST, Wang Y, Mandeville ET, Igarashi T, Lo EH, Ji X, Sun PZ. pH-sensitive MRI demarcates graded tissue acidification during acute stroke - pH specificity enhancement with magnetization transfer and relaxation-normalized amide proton transfer (APT) MRI. Neuroimage 2016; 141:242-249. [PMID: 27444569 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
pH-sensitive amide proton transfer (APT) MRI provides a surrogate metabolic biomarker that complements the widely-used perfusion and diffusion imaging. However, the endogenous APT MRI is often calculated using the asymmetry analysis (MTRasym), which is susceptible to an inhomogeneous shift due to concomitant semisolid magnetization transfer (MT) and nuclear overhauser (NOE) effects. Although the intact brain tissue has little pH variation, white and gray matter appears distinct in the MTRasym image. Herein we showed that the heterogeneous MTRasym shift not related to pH highly correlates with MT ratio (MTR) and longitudinal relaxation rate (R1w), which can be reasonably corrected using the multiple regression analysis. Because there are relatively small MT and R1w changes during acute stroke, we postulate that magnetization transfer and relaxation-normalized APT (MRAPT) analysis increases MRI specificity to acidosis over the routine MTRasym image, hence facilitates ischemic lesion segmentation. We found significant differences in perfusion, pH and diffusion lesion volumes (P<0.001, ANOVA). Furthermore, MRAPT MRI depicted graded ischemic acidosis, with the most severe acidosis in the diffusion lesion (-1.05±0.29%/s), moderate acidification within the pH/diffusion mismatch (i.e., metabolic penumbra, -0.67±0.27%/s) and little pH change in the perfusion/pH mismatch (i.e., benign oligemia, -0.04±0.14%/s), providing refined stratification of ischemic tissue injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingkun Guo
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Iris Yuwen Zhou
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Suk-Tak Chan
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Yu Wang
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA; China-America Joint Neuroscience Institute, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Emiri T Mandeville
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology and Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Takahiro Igarashi
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Eng H Lo
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology and Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Xunming Ji
- China-America Joint Neuroscience Institute, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA; China-America Joint Neuroscience Institute, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology and Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
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Jiang W, Zhou IY, Wen L, Zhou X, Sun PZ. A theoretical analysis of chemical exchange saturation transfer echo planar imaging (CEST-EPI) steady state solution and the CEST sensitivity efficiency-based optimization approach. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2016; 11:415-423. [PMID: 27312932 DOI: 10.1002/cmmi.1699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2016] [Revised: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is sensitive to dilute labile protons and microenvironmental properties, augmenting routine relaxation-based MRI. Recent developments of quantitative CEST (qCEST) analysis such as omega plots and RF-power based ratiometric calculation have extended our ability to elucidate the underlying CEST system beyond the simplistic apparent CEST measurement. CEST MRI strongly varies with experimental factors, including the RF irradiation level and duration as well as repetition time and flip angle. In addition, the CEST MRI effect is typically small, and experimental optimization strategies have to be carefully evaluated in order to enhance the CEST imaging sensitivity. Although routine CEST MRI has been optimized largely based on maximizing the magnitude of the CEST effect, the CEST signal-to-noise (SNR) efficiency provides a more suitable optimization index, particularly when the scan time is constrained. Herein, we derive an analytical solution of the CEST effect that takes into account key experimental parameters including repetition time, imaging flip angle and RF irradiation level, and solve its SNR efficiency. The solution expedites CEST imaging sensitivity calculation, substantially faster than the Bloch-McConnell equation-based numerical simulation approach. In addition, the analytical solution-based SNR formula enables the exhaustive optimization of CEST MRI, which simultaneously predicts multiple optimal parameters such as repetition time, flip angle and RF saturation level based on the chemical shift and exchange rate. The sensitivity efficiency-based optimization approach could simplify and guide imaging of CEST agents, including glycogen, glucose, creatine, gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiping Jiang
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.,State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Iris Yuwen Zhou
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Lingyi Wen
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Xin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA. .,Department of Radiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL, USA.
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Wu Y, Kim J, Chan ST, Zhou IY, Guo Y, Igarashi T, Zheng H, Guo G, Sun PZ. Comparison of image sensitivity between conventional tensor-based and fast diffusion kurtosis imaging protocols in a rodent model of acute ischemic stroke. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2016; 29:625-30. [PMID: 26918411 PMCID: PMC4833647 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.3506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Revised: 01/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) can offer a useful complementary tool to routine diffusion MRI for improved stratification of heterogeneous tissue damage in acute ischemic stroke. However, its relatively long imaging time has hampered its clinical application in the emergency setting. A recently proposed fast DKI approach substantially shortens the imaging time, which may help to overcome the scan time limitation. However, to date, the sensitivity of the fast DKI protocol for the imaging of acute stroke has not been fully described. In this study, we performed routine and fast DKI scans in a rodent model of acute stroke, and compared the sensitivity of diffusivity and kurtosis indices (i.e. axial, radial and mean) in depicting acute ischemic lesions. In addition, we analyzed the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between the ipsilateral ischemic and contralateral normal regions using both conventional and fast DKI methods. We found that the mean kurtosis shows a relative change of 47.1 ± 7.3% between the ischemic and contralateral normal regions, being the most sensitive parameter in revealing acute ischemic injury. The two DKI methods yielded highly correlated diffusivity and kurtosis measures and lesion volumes (R(2) ⩾ 0.90, p < 0.01). Importantly, the fast DKI method exhibited significantly higher CNR of mean kurtosis (1.6 ± 0.2) compared with the routine tensor protocol (1.3 ± 0.2, p < 0.05), with its CNR per unit time (CNR efficiency) approximately doubled when the scan time was taken into account. In conclusion, the fast DKI method provides excellent sensitivity and efficiency to image acute ischemic tissue damage, which is essential for image-guided and individualized stroke treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Wu
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Centre for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for MRI, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Jinsuh Kim
- Department of Radiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Suk-Tak Chan
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Iris Yuwen Zhou
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Yingkun Guo
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Takahiro Igarashi
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Hairong Zheng
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Centre for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for MRI, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Gang Guo
- Department of Radiology, Xiamen 2 Hospital, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Correspondence Author: Phillip Zhe Sun, Ph.D., Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA, , Phone: (1) 617-726-4060; Fax: (1) 617-726-7422
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Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging is a powerful, noninvasive imaging technique with exquisite sensitivity to soft tissue composition. Magnetic resonance imaging is primary tool for brain tumor diagnosis, evaluation of drug response assessment, and clinical monitoring of the patient during the course of their disease. The flexibility of magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence design allows for a variety of image contrasts to be acquired, including information about magnetic resonance-specific tissue characteristics, molecular dynamics, microstructural organization, vascular composition, and biochemical status. The current review highlights recent advancements and novel approaches in MR characterization of brain tumors.
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37
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Xiao G, Sun PZ, Wu R. Fast simulation and optimization of pulse-train chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging. Phys Med Biol 2015; 60:4719-30. [PMID: 26020414 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/60/12/4719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI has been increasingly applied to detect dilute solutes and physicochemical properties, with promising in vivo applications. Whereas CEST imaging has been implemented with continuous wave (CW) radio-frequency irradiation on preclinical scanners, pulse-train irradiation is often chosen on clinical systems. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize pulse-train CEST imaging, particularly important for translational studies. Because conventional Bloch-McConnell formulas are not in the form of homogeneous differential equations, the routine simulation approach simulates the evolving magnetization step by step, which is time consuming. Herein we developed a computationally efficient numerical solution using matrix iterative analysis of homogeneous Bloch-McConnell equations. The proposed algorithm requires simulation of pulse-train CEST MRI magnetization within one irradiation repeat, with 99% computation time reduction from that of conventional approach under typical experimental conditions. The proposed solution enables determination of labile proton ratio and exchange rate from pulse-train CEST MRI experiment, within 5% from those determined from quantitative CW-CEST MRI. In addition, the structural similarity index analysis shows that the dependence of CEST contrast on saturation pulse flip angle and duration between simulation and experiment was 0.98 ± 0.01, indicating that the proposed simulation algorithm permits fast optimization and quantification of pulse-train CEST MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Xiao
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Hanshan Normal University, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
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38
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Wu R, Longo DL, Aime S, Sun PZ. Quantitative description of radiofrequency (RF) power-based ratiometric chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) pH imaging. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2015; 28:555-65. [PMID: 25807919 PMCID: PMC4423622 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.3284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Revised: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI holds great promise for the imaging of pH. However, routine CEST measurement varies not only with the pH-dependent chemical exchange rate, but also with CEST agent concentration, providing pH-weighted information. Conventional ratiometric CEST imaging normalizes the confounding concentration factor by analyzing the relative CEST effect from different exchangeable groups, requiring CEST agents with multiple chemically distinguishable labile proton sites. Recently, a radiofrequency (RF) power-based ratiometric CEST MRI approach has been developed for concentration-independent pH MRI using CEST agents with a single exchangeable group. To facilitate quantification and optimization of the new ratiometric analysis, we quantified the RF power-based ratiometric CEST ratio (rCESTR) and derived its signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios. Using creatine as a representative CEST agent containing a single exchangeable site, our study demonstrated that optimized RF power-based ratiometric analysis provides good pH sensitivity. We showed that rCESTR follows a base-catalyzed exchange relationship with pH independent of creatine concentration. The pH accuracy of RF power-based ratiometric MRI was within 0.15-0.20 pH units. Furthermore, the absolute exchange rate can be obtained from the proposed ratiometric analysis. To summarize, RF power-based ratiometric CEST analysis provides concentration-independent pH-sensitive imaging and complements conventional multiple labile proton group-based ratiometric CEST analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renhua Wu
- Department of Radiology, 2Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Dario Livio Longo
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging (CNR) c/o Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Silvio Aime
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Imaging Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, MGH and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Corresponding Author: Dr. Phillip Zhe Sun, Ph.D., Biomarker and Metabolism Imaging Lab, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, MGH and Harvard Medical School, Rm 2301, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, Phone: 617-726-4060, Fax: 617-726-7422,
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Wu R, Xiao G, Zhou IY, Ran C, Sun PZ. Quantitative chemical exchange saturation transfer (qCEST) MRI - omega plot analysis of RF-spillover-corrected inverse CEST ratio asymmetry for simultaneous determination of labile proton ratio and exchange rate. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2015; 28:376-83. [PMID: 25615718 PMCID: PMC4339459 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.3257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 12/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is sensitive to labile proton concentration and exchange rate, thus allowing measurement of dilute CEST agent and microenvironmental properties. However, CEST measurement depends not only on the CEST agent properties but also on the experimental conditions. Quantitative CEST (qCEST) analysis has been proposed to address the limitation of the commonly used simplistic CEST-weighted calculation. Recent research has shown that the concomitant direct RF saturation (spillover) effect can be corrected using an inverse CEST ratio calculation. We postulated that a simplified qCEST analysis is feasible with omega plot analysis of the inverse CEST asymmetry calculation. Specifically, simulations showed that the numerically derived labile proton ratio and exchange rate were in good agreement with input values. In addition, the qCEST analysis was confirmed experimentally in a phantom with concurrent variation in CEST agent concentration and pH. Also, we demonstrated that the derived labile proton ratio increased linearly with creatine concentration (P < 0.01) while the pH-dependent exchange rate followed a dominantly base-catalyzed exchange relationship (P < 0.01). In summary, our study verified that a simplified qCEST analysis can simultaneously determine labile proton ratio and exchange rate in a relatively complex in vitro CEST system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renhua Wu
- Department of Radiology, 2 Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Gang Xiao
- Department of Radiology, 2 Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, China
| | - Iris Yuwen Zhou
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Chongzhao Ran
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
- Corresponding Authors: Dr. Phillip Zhe Sun (), Biomarker and Metabolism Imaging Lab, Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, MGH and Harvard Medical School, Rm 2301, 149 13 Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA, Tel: 617-726-4060, Fax: 617-726-7422
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40
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Kim J, Wu Y, Guo Y, Zheng H, Sun PZ. A review of optimization and quantification techniques for chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI toward sensitive in vivo imaging. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2015; 10:163-178. [PMID: 25641791 DOI: 10.1002/cmmi.1628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Revised: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is a versatile imaging method that probes the chemical exchange between bulk water and exchangeable protons. CEST imaging indirectly detects dilute labile protons via bulk water signal changes following selective saturation of exchangeable protons, which offers substantial sensitivity enhancement and has sparked numerous biomedical applications. Over the past decade, CEST imaging techniques have rapidly evolved owing to contributions from multiple domains, including the development of CEST mathematical models, innovative contrast agent designs, sensitive data acquisition schemes, efficient field inhomogeneity correction algorithms, and quantitative CEST (qCEST) analysis. The CEST system that underlies the apparent CEST-weighted effect, however, is complex. The experimentally measurable CEST effect depends not only on parameters such as CEST agent concentration, pH and temperature, but also on relaxation rate, magnetic field strength and more importantly, experimental parameters including repetition time, RF irradiation amplitude and scheme, and image readout. Thorough understanding of the underlying CEST system using qCEST analysis may augment the diagnostic capability of conventional imaging. In this review, we provide a concise explanation of CEST acquisition methods and processing algorithms, including their advantages and limitations, for optimization and quantification of CEST MRI experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsuh Kim
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Yin Wu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for MRI, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Yingkun Guo
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Hairong Zheng
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for MRI, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
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41
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Huang D, Li S, Dai Z, Shen Z, Yan G, Wu R. Novel gradient echo sequence‑based amide proton transfer magnetic resonance imaging in hyperacute cerebral infarction. Mol Med Rep 2015; 11:3279-84. [PMID: 25571956 PMCID: PMC4368135 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In the progression of ischemia, pH is important and is essential in elucidating the association between metabolic disruption, lactate formation, acidosis and tissue damage. Chemical exchange-dependent saturation transfer (CEST) imaging can be used to detect tissue pH and, in particular, a specific form of CEST magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), termed amide proton transfer (APT) MRI, which is sensitive to pH and can detect ischemic lesions, even prior to diffusion abnormalities. The critical parameter governing the ability of CEST to detect pH is the sequence. In the present study, a novel strategy was used, based on the gradient echo sequence (GRE), which involved the insertion of a magnetization transfer pulse in each repetition time (TR) and minimizing the TR for in vivo APT imaging. The proposed GRE-APT MRI method was initially verified using a tissue-like pH phantom and optimized MRI parameters for APT imaging. In order to assess the range of acute cerebral infarction, rats (n=4) were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and MRI scanning at 7 telsa (T). Hyperacute ischemic tissue damage was characterized using multiparametric imaging techniques, including diffusion, APT and T2-Weighted MRI. By using a magnetization transfer pulse and minimizing TR, GRE-APT provided high spatial resolution and a homogeneous signal, with clearly distinguished cerebral anatomy. The GRE-APT and diffusion MRI were significantly correlated with lactate content and the area of cerebral infarction in the APT and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps matched consistently during the hyperacute period. In addition, compared with the infarction area observed on the ADC MRI map, the APT map contained tissue, which had not yet been irreversibly damaged. Therefore, GRE-APT MRI waa able to detect ischemic lactic acidosis with sensitivity and spatiotemporal resolution, suggesting the potential use of pH MRI as a surrogate imaging marker of impaired tissue metabolism for the diagnosis and prognosis of hyperacute stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dexiao Huang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P.R. China
| | - Shenkai Li
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P.R. China
| | - Zhuozhi Dai
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P.R. China
| | - Zhiwei Shen
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P.R. China
| | - Gen Yan
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P.R. China
| | - Renhua Wu
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P.R. China
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Song X, Xu J, Xia S, Yadav NN, Lal B, Laterra J, Bulte JWM, van Zijl PCM, McMahon MT. Multi-echo length and offset VARied saturation (MeLOVARS) method for improved CEST imaging. Magn Reson Med 2014; 73:488-96. [PMID: 25516490 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.25567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Revised: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Song
- Division of MR Research, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Sun PZ, Wang Y, Dai Z, Xiao G, Wu R. Quantitative chemical exchange saturation transfer (qCEST) MRI--RF spillover effect-corrected omega plot for simultaneous determination of labile proton fraction ratio and exchange rate. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2014; 9:268-75. [PMID: 24706610 DOI: 10.1002/cmmi.1569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2013] [Revised: 07/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is sensitive to dilute proteins and peptides as well as microenvironmental properties. However, the complexity of the CEST MRI effect, which varies with the labile proton content, exchange rate and experimental conditions, underscores the need for developing quantitative CEST (qCEST) analysis. Towards this goal, it has been shown that omega plot is capable of quantifying paramagnetic CEST MRI. However, the use of the omega plot is somewhat limited for diamagnetic CEST (DIACEST) MRI because it is more susceptible to direct radio frequency (RF) saturation (spillover) owing to the relatively small chemical shift. Recently, it has been found that, for dilute DIACEST agents that undergo slow to intermediate chemical exchange, the spillover effect varies little with the labile proton ratio and exchange rate. Therefore, we postulated that the omega plot analysis can be improved if RF spillover effect could be estimated and taken into account. Specifically, simulation showed that both labile proton ratio and exchange rate derived using the spillover effect-corrected omega plot were in good agreement with simulated values. In addition, the modified omega plot was confirmed experimentally, and we showed that the derived labile proton ratio increased linearly with creatine concentration (p < 0.01), with little difference in their exchange rate (p = 0.32). In summary, our study extends the conventional omega plot for quantitative analysis of DIACEST MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
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Magnetization transfer prepared gradient echo MRI for CEST imaging. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112219. [PMID: 25384020 PMCID: PMC4226502 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) is an emerging MRI contrast mechanism that is capable of noninvasively imaging dilute CEST agents and local properties such as pH and temperature, augmenting the routine MRI methods. However, the routine CEST MRI includes a long RF saturation pulse followed by fast image readout, which is associated with high specific absorption rate and limited spatial resolution. In addition, echo planar imaging (EPI)-based fast image readout is prone to image distortion, particularly severe at high field. To address these limitations, we evaluated magnetization transfer (MT) prepared gradient echo (GRE) MRI for CEST imaging. We proved the feasibility using numerical simulations and experiments in vitro and in vivo. Then we optimized the sequence by serially evaluating the effects of the number of saturation steps, MT saturation power (B1), GRE readout flip angle (FA), and repetition time (TR) upon the CEST MRI, and further demonstrated the endogenous amide proton CEST imaging in rats brains (n = 5) that underwent permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. The CEST images can identify ischemic lesions in the first 3 hours after occlusion. In summary, our study demonstrated that the readily available MT-prepared GRE MRI, if optimized, is CEST-sensitive and remains promising for translational CEST imaging.
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Sun PZ, Longo DL, Hu W, Xiao G, Wu R. Quantification of iopamidol multi-site chemical exchange properties for ratiometric chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging of pH. Phys Med Biol 2014; 59:4493-504. [PMID: 25054859 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/59/16/4493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
pH-sensitive chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI holds great promise for in vivo applications. However, the CEST effect depends on not only exchange rate and hence pH, but also on the contrast agent concentration, which must be determined independently for pH quantification. Ratiometric CEST MRI normalizes the concentration effect by comparing CEST measurements of multiple labile protons to simplify pH determination. Iopamidol, a commonly used x-ray contrast agent, has been explored as a ratiometric CEST agent for imaging pH. However, iopamidol CEST properties have not been solved, determination of which is important for optimization and quantification of iopamidol pH imaging. Our study numerically solved iopamidol multi-site pH-dependent chemical exchange properties. We found that iopamidol CEST MRI is suitable for measuring pH between 6 and 7.5 despite that T1 and T2 measurements varied substantially with pH and concentration. The pH MRI precision decreased with pH and concentration. The standard deviation of pH determined from MRI was 0.2 and 0.4 pH unit for 40 and 20 mM iopamidol solution of pH 6, and it improved to be less than 0.1 unit for pH above 7. Moreover, we determined base-catalyzed chemical exchange for 2-hydrooxypropanamido (ksw = 1.2*10(pH-4.1)) and amide (ksw = 1.2*10(pH-4.6)) protons that are statistically different from each other (P < 0.01, ANCOVA), understanding of which should help guide in vivo translation of iopamidol pH imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
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