Comparison of BOLD and CBV using 3D EPI and 3D GRASE for cortical layer functional MRI at 7 T

PURPOSE

Functional MRI (fMRI) at the mesoscale of cortical layers and columns requires both sensitivity and specificity, the latter of which can be compromised if the imaging method is affected by vascular artifacts, particularly cortical draining veins at the pial surface. Recent studies have shown that cerebral blood volume (CBV) imaging is more specific to the actual laminar locus of neural activity than BOLD imaging using standard gradient-echo EPI sequences. Gradient and spin-echo (GRASE) BOLD imaging has also shown greater specificity when compared with standard gradient-echo EPI BOLD. Here we directly compare CBV and BOLD contrasts in high-resolution imaging of the primary motor cortex for laminar functional MRI in four combinations of signal labeling, CBV using slice-selective slab-inversion vascular space occupancy (VASO) and BOLD, each with 3D gradient-echo EPI and zoomed 3D-GRASE image readouts.

METHODS

Activations were measured using each sequence and contrast combination during a motor task. Activation profiles across cortical depth were measured to assess the sensitivity and specificity (pial bias) of each method.

RESULTS

Both CBV imaging using gradient-echo 3D-EPI and BOLD imaging using 3D-GRASE show similar specificity and sensitivity and are therefore useful tools for mesoscopic functional MRI in the human cortex. The combination of GRASE and VASO did not demonstrate high levels of sensitivity, nor show increased specificity.

CONCLUSION

Three-dimensional EPI with VASO contrast and 3D-GRASE with BOLD contrast both demonstrate sufficient sensitivity and specificity for laminar functional MRI to be used by neuroscientists in a wide range of investigations of depth-dependent neural circuitry in the human brain.

Multi-Label Active Learning Algorithms for Image Classification: Overview and Future Promise

Image classification is a key task in image understanding, and multi-label image classification has become a popular topic in recent years. However, the success of multi-label image classification is closely related to the way of constructing a training set. As active learning aims to construct an effective training set through iteratively selecting the most informative examples to query labels from annotators, it was introduced into multi-label image classification. Accordingly, multi-label active learning is becoming an important research direction. In this work, we first review existing multi-label active learning algorithms for image classification. These algorithms can be categorized into two top groups from two aspects respectively: sampling and annotation. The most important component of multi-label active learning is to design an effective sampling strategy that actively selects the examples with the highest informativeness from an unlabeled data pool, according to various information measures. Thus, different informativeness measures are emphasized in this survey. Furthermore, this work also makes a deep investigation on existing challenging issues and future promises in multi-label active learning with a focus on four core aspects: example dimension, label dimension, annotation, and application extension.

Optimization of acoustic radiation force imaging: Influence of timing parameters on sensitivity

PURPOSE

Optimization of timing parameters for MR-guided ARFI to achieve the highest displacement signal-to-noise ratio (SNR_d ).

THEORY AND METHODS

In MR-guided ARFI the phase change induced by motion encoding gradients (MEGs) is measured to assess tissue displacement. The sensitivity of this encoding procedure depends on several timing parameters, such as the MEG duration and the offset time between ultrasound (US) and MEG. Furthermore, mechanical and MR tissue constants and MEG schemes (bipolar or three-lobed) influence SNR_d . Optimal timing parameters were determined in simulations for bipolar and three-lobed MEGs, and the results were compared with measurements. To provide clinically usable timing parameters, physiologically relevant ranges of tissue constants were considered.

RESULTS

For the considered ranges of tissue constants, optimal timing parameters provide only 6% higher SNR_d for bipolar than for three-lobed MEG. Three-lobed MEG is less sensitive to motion as confirmed in phantom experiments. Bipolar MEG can use approximately 1.5-fold shorter MEG durations.

CONCLUSION

Both bipolar and three-lobed MEGs can yield approximately the same SNR_d if the optimal timing parameters are chosen. Bipolar MEG allows for shorter durations, which is preferable if deposition of US energy needs to be minimized, and three-lobed MEG is more suitable when residual motion compensation is necessary. Magn Reson Med 79:981-986, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Ensuring safety and functionality of electroglottography measurements during dynamic pulmonary MRI

PURPOSE

To combine vocal tract measurements with dynamic MRI of the lungs to provide fundamental insights into the lung physiology during singing.

METHODS

To analyze vocal fold oscillatory patterns during dynamic lung MRI, an electroglottography (EGG) system was modified to allow for simultaneous EGG measurements during MR image acquisitions. A low-pass filter was introduced to suppress residual radiofrequency (RF) coupling into the EGG signal. RF heating was tested in a gel phantom to ensure MR safety, and functionality of the EGG device was assessed in a volunteer experiment at singing frequencies from A5 to A3. In the recorded EGG signals, remaining RF interferences were removed by independent component analysis post processing, and standard EGG parameters such as fundamental frequency, contact quotient and jitter were calculated. In a second volunteer experiment, EGG recordings were compared with lung diameter measurements from 2D time-resolved trueFISP acquisitions.

RESULTS

RF heating measurements resulted in less than 1.2°C temperature increase in the gel phantom. EGG parameters measured during MR imaging are within the range of ideal values. In the lung measurement, both the lung diameter and the EGG recordings could be successfully performed with only minimal interference.

CONCLUSION

EGG recording is pos sible during dynamic lung MRI, and glottal activity can be studied safely at 1.5T. Magn Reson Med 76:1629-1635, 2016. © 2015 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

MRI compatible head phantom for ultrasound surgery

OBJECTIVE

Develop a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible head phantom with acoustic attenuation closely matched to the human attenuation, and suitable for testing focused ultrasound surgery protocols.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Images from an adult brain CT scan were used to segment the skull bone from adjacent cerebral tissue. The segmented model was manufactured in a 3-D printer using (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) ABS plastic. The cerebral tissue was mimicked by an agar-evaporated milk-silica gel (2% w/v-25% v/v-1.2% w/v) which was molded inside a skull model.

RESULTS

The measured attenuation of the ABS skull was 16 dB/cm MHz. The estimated attenuation coefficient of the gel replicating brain tissue was 0.6 dB/cm MHz. The estimated agar-silica gel's T1 and T2 relaxation times in a 1.5 Tesla magnetic field were 852 ms and 66 ms respectively. The effectiveness of the skull to reduce ultrasonic heating was demonstrated using MRI thermometry.

CONCLUSION

Due to growing interest in using MRI guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for treating brain cancer and its application in sonothrombolysis, the proposed head phantom can be utilized as a very useful tool for evaluating ultrasonic protocols, thus minimizing the need for animal models and cadavers.

Three-axis MR-conditional robot for high-intensity focused ultrasound for treating prostate diseases transrectally

BACKGROUND

A prototype magnetic resonance image (MRI)-conditional robot was developed for navigating a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) system in order to treat prostate cancer transrectally.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The developed robotic device utilizes three PC-controlled axes: a linear axis for motion along the rectum, an angular axis for rotation in the rectum, and a linear axis to lift the robot up and down. Experiments with the system were performed in a 1.5-T MRI system using gel phantoms.

RESULT

The robot was successfully operated in a 1.5-T clinical MRI system. The effect of piezoelectric motors and optical encoders was quantified based on the reduction of signal to noise ratio. Discrete and overlapping lesions were created accurately by moving the HIFU transducer with the robotic device.

CONCLUSION

An MRI-conditional HIFU robot was developed which can create controlled thermal lesions under MRI guidance. The intention is to use this robot transrectally in the future for the treatment of prostate cancer.