Magnetization transfer imaging in vivo of the rat brain at 4.7 T: interpretation using a binary spin-bath model with a superLorentzian lineshape

Robust method for 3D arterial spin labeling in mice

Arterial spin labeling is a versatile perfusion quantification methodology, which has the potential to provide accurate characterization of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in mouse models. However, a paucity of physiological data needed for accurate modeling, more stringent requirements for gradient performance, and strong artifacts introduced by magnetization transfer present special challenges for accurate CBF mapping in the mouse. This article describes robust mapping of CBF over three-dimensional brain regions using amplitude-modulated continuous arterial spin labeling. To provide physiological data for CBF modeling, the carotid artery blood velocity distribution was characterized using pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound. These blood velocity measurements were used in simulations that optimize inversion efficiency for parameters meeting MRI gradient duty cycle constraints. A rapid slice positioning algorithm was developed and evaluated to provide accurate positioning of the labeling plane. To account for enhancement of T(1) due to magnetization transfer, a binary spin bath model of magnetization transfer was used to provide a more accurate estimate of CBF. Finally, a study of CBF was conducted on 10 mice with findings of highly reproducible inversion efficiency (mean ± standard-error-of-the-mean, 0.67 ± 0.03), statistically significant variation in CBF over 12 brain regions (P < 0.0001) and a mean ± standard-error-of-the-mean whole brain CBF of 219 ± 6 mL/100 g/min.

Optimization of on-resonant magnetization transfer contrast in coronary vein MRI

Magnetization transfer contrast has been used commonly for endogenous tissue contrast improvements in angiography, brain, body, and cardiac imaging. Both off-resonant and on-resonant RF pulses can be used to generate magnetization transfer based contrast. In this study, on-resonant magnetization transfer preparation using binomial pulses were optimized and compared with off-resonant magnetization transfer for imaging of coronary veins. Three parameters were studied with simulations and in vivo measurements: flip angle, pulse repetitions, and binomial pulse order. Subsequently, first or second order binomial on-resonant magnetization transfer pulses with eight repetitions of 720° and 240° flip angle were used for coronary vein MRI. Flip angles of 720° yielded contrast enhancement of 115% (P < 0.0006) for first order on-resonant and 95% (P < 0.0006) for off-resonant magnetization transfer. There was no statistically significance difference between off-resonant and on-resonant first order binomial Magnetization transfer at 720°. However, for off-resonance pulses, much more preparation time is needed when compared with the binomials but with considerably reduced specific absorption rate.

Incidental magnetization transfer contrast by fat saturation preparation pulses in multislice Look-Locker echo planar imaging

In this study, it is demonstrated that fat saturation (FS) preparation (prep) pulses generate incidental magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) in multislice Look-Locker (LL) imaging. It is shown that frequency-selective FS prep pulses can invoke MTC through the exchange between free and motion-restricted protons. Simulation reveals that the fractional signal loss by these MTC effects is more severe for smaller flip angles (FAs), shorter repetition times (TRs), and greater number of slices (SN). These incidental MTC effects result in a signal attenuation at a steady state (up to 30%) and a T(1) measurement bias (up to 20%) when using inversion recovery (IR) LL echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequences. Furthermore, it is shown that water-selective MRI using binomial pulses has the potential to minimize the signal attenuation and provide unbiased T(1) measurement without fat artifacts in MR images.

Quantitative description of the asymmetry in magnetization transfer effects around the water resonance in the human brain

Magnetization transfer (MT) imaging provides a unique method of tissue characterization by capitalizing on the interaction between solid-like tissue components and bulk water. We used a continuous-wave (CW) MT pulse sequence with low irradiation power to study healthy human brains in vivo at 3 T and quantified the asymmetry of the MT effects with respect to the water proton frequency. This asymmetry was found to be a difference of approximately a few percent from the water signal intensity, depending on both the RF irradiation power and the frequency offset. The experimental results could be quantitatively described by a modified two-pool MT model extended with a shift contribution for the semisolid pool with respect to water. For white matter, this shift was fitted to be 2.34 +/- 0.17 ppm (N = 5) upfield from the water signal.

Cross-relaxation imaging reveals detailed anatomy of white matter fiber tracts in the human brain

Cross-relaxation imaging is a new quantitative MRI modality, which allows mapping of fundamental parameters determining the magnetization transfer (MT) effect in tissues, cross-relaxation rate constant (k) and bound pool fraction (f). This study introduces a new time-efficient technique for cross-relaxation imaging, which obtains three-dimensional (3D) whole-brain k and f maps with scan time of <30 min and isotropic spatial resolution of 1.4 mm. The technical principle of the method is based on four-point fit of a matrix model of pulsed MT to imaging data obtained with variable offset frequency saturation while using a complimentary R1 (=1 / T1) map. Anatomical correlations of in vivo cross-relaxation parametric maps were evaluated in three healthy subjects. The f maps revealed correspondence of areas with highly elevated f = 12-15% to major fiber tracts such as corpus callosum, anterior commissure, optic radiations, and major brain fasciculi. The rest of white matter (WM) demonstrated lower f = 9-11%, resulting in clear visual contrast of fiber tracts. Even lower f = 6.5-8.5% were found in gray matter (GM) with the highest f = 8.5% in the anterior thalamus. Distribution of k was relatively uniform in WM and produced sharp contrast between GM and WM (k = 1.6 and 3.3 s(-1), respectively). The most marked feature of k maps was their ability to visualize the corticospinal tract, which had elevated k = 3.4-3.8 s(-1) but appeared invisible on f maps. The observed patterns on f maps can be explained by variations in the density of myelinated fibers, while the trends of k may reflect regional differences in axonal organization. Cross-relaxation imaging can be used in various clinical studies focused on brain development and white matter diseases.

Magnetization recovery for signal enhancement: a fast imaging DEFT-based technique

This paper describes the development and application of a new fast MRI technique based on the DEFT principle. The sequence named MAgnetization RecoverY for Signal Enhancement (MARYSE) is composed of two completely symmetric gradient echoes separated by a 180 degrees refocusing pulse. The RF pulse scheme, 90 degrees x-180 degrees y-90 degrees -x enables restoration of the transverse magnetization along the longitudinal axis, and consequently artificially increases R1 relaxation rate. In this sequence, the period between the excitation pulse and the restoring pulse (Tem: transverse magnetization evolution time) is very short (< 10 ms). This makes possible a significant increase in signal-to-noise ratio, even with a relatively short repetition time (20 ms). Simulations were performed for different values of Tem and TR at definite T1 and T2 and for different values of T1 and T2 at constant Tem and TR. Relevant signal enhancement for species with long relaxation time constants as compared to classical gradient echo and fast spin-echo imaging was expected. In vitro studies on a fat/water phantom confirmed this simulation. Application of MARYSE to mouse brain imaging permitted to visualize almost completely cerebrospinal fluid of the ventricles, a signal usually partially saturated in fast gradient echo imaging.

Inhibition of FGF receptor activity in glioma implanted into the mouse brain using the tetracyclin-regulated expression system

We have investigated growth and vascularization of malignant glioma in mice upon conditional inhibition of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor activity. C6 rat glioma cells were transfected with a dominant-negative fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR2-DN) cDNA under the control of a tetracycline-regulated expression promoter (tet off) and implanted in the brain of immunodeficient mice. Magnetic resonance imaging analysis showed a significant decrease in tumor growth 14 days after implantation when FGFR2-DN was expressed compared to control. This size difference disappeared after 20 days. However, after 20 days, tumor and endothelial cells apoptosis were higher in the FGFR2-DN group and consequently angiogenesis was decreased whereas tumor cells were similarly associated with blood vessels at the tumor periphery. Pericyte coverage was not different between the two groups but a higher amount of pericytes not associated with vessels was found in the FGFR2-DN expressing group. This demonstrates, that conditional expression of inhibitor of FGF receptor activity in gliomas implanted in the brain of immunodeficient mice can be achieved efficiently, and that FGFs are major players in glioma development and in glioma angiogenesis.

Magnetization transfer MRI of mouse brain reveals areas of high neural density

Extending applications of magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the human central nervous system, this work quantitatively describes MTC of the murine brain. As a novel finding, complementing T(1)- and T(2)-weighted MRI, MTC allows for the distinction of densely packed gray matter from normal gray and white matter. Examples include the Purkinje cell layer and the granular cell layer in the mouse cerebellum as well as the delineation of the CA3 subfield of the hippocampus relative to surrounding hippocampal gray matter and white matter tracts such as the hippocampal fimbria. Using a kainate lesion model, the CA3 hyperintensities in MTC and T(1)-weighted MRI are assigned to the densely packed somata of pyramidal cells.

Magnetization transfer effect on the creatine methyl resonance studied by CW off-resonance irradiation in human skeletal muscle on a clinical MR system

Magnetization transfer (MT) between the mobile (MR-visible) spin pool and immobile (MR-invisible) spin pool of creatine (Cr) was studied on a clinical 1.5 T MR scanner in human skeletal muscle using continuous wave (CW) pre-irradiation as the saturation method for the immobile pool. For this purpose, only slight modifications to the MR system were made. A specially designed electronic circuit was used to couple a CW amplifier to the RF channel of the scanner. The CW pulse power (gammaB(2)/2pi) and pulse length were determined to be approximately 550 Hz and 3 s, respectively, for optimal signal attenuation of the Cr methyl signal. The bound Cr fraction in human gastrocnemius muscle was determined to be 0.4-1.3% using a two-pool exchange model function to describe the MT effect.

Magnetization transfer contrast imaging in Niemann pick type C mouse liver

PURPOSE

To investigate livers of mice afflicted with Niemann Pick type C (NP-C) disease using magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) imaging and to test the hypothesis that the MT ratio reproducibly changes during disease progression.

BACKGROUND

NP-C is a heritable defect of lipid metabolism that results in the accumulation of unesterified cholesterol and gangliosides in virtually all cells. Symptoms predominate in brain and liver, which have high endogenous rates of lipid turnover. It is fatal to children, usually early in the second decade of life. Previous work has shown that the efficiency of magnetization transfer (MT) can be affected by cholesterol and collagen in tissues. The MT ratio (MTR) was calculated and compared during growth and therapy of diseased and control mice.

RESULTS

Significant differences in the MTR were observed between livers of diseased and control mice. These ratios were consistent with collagen deposition associated with fibrosis, and not the accumulation of unesterified cholesterol in this organ.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that MTC imaging may have clinical potential for monitoring progression and therapy in NP-C disease.

Quantitative magnetization transfer mapping of bound protons in multiple sclerosis

Quantitative analysis of magnetization transfer images has the potential to allow a more thorough characterization of the protons, both bound and free, in a tissue by extracting a number of parameters relating to the NMR properties of the protons and their local environment. This work develops previously presented techniques to produce estimates of parameters such as the bound proton fraction, f, and the transverse relaxation time of the bound pool, T(2B), for the whole brain in a clinically acceptable imaging time. This is achieved by limiting the number of data collected (typically to 10); to collect 28 5-mm slices with a reconstructed resolution of 0.94 x 0.94 mm. The protocol takes 82 sec per data point. The fitting technique is assessed against previous work and for fitting failures. Maps and analysis are presented from a group of seven controls and 20 multiple sclerosis patients. The maps show that the parameters are sensitive to tissue-specific differences and can detect pathological change within lesions. Statistically significant differences in parameters such as T(2B) and f are seen between normal-appearing white matter, multiple sclerosis lesions, and control white matter. Whole-brain histograms of these parameters are also presented, showing differences between patients and controls.

Quantitative imaging of magnetization transfer using an inversion recovery sequence

A new imaging method has been developed for quantitatively measuring magnetization transfer (MT). It uses a simple inversion recovery sequence, although one with very short (milliseconds) inversion times, and thus can be implemented on clinical imaging systems with little modification to existing pulse sequences. The sequence requires an inversion pulse with a length much longer than T(2m) (typically 10 micros) and much shorter than T(2f) (typically tens of ms) and 1/k(mf) (typically tens of ms), where T(2m) and T(2f) are the transverse relaxation times of the immobile macromolecular and free water protons, respectively, and k(mf) is the rate of MT between these populations. The resultant NMR signal is sensitive to MT when this inversion pulse affects the mobile and immobile proton pools to different degrees and by appropriate analysis of the signals obtained for different inversion times, quantitative information can be derived on the macromolecular content and exchange rates within the sample. The method has been used in conjunction with echo planar imaging to produce maps of the spatial distribution of the macromolecular content and MT rate in cross-linked bovine serum albumin. Comparisons between this method and other quantitative MT techniques are discussed.

Precise estimate of fundamental in-vivo MT parameters in human brain in clinically feasible times

A methodology is presented for extracting precise quantitative MT parameters using a magnetisation-prepared spoiled gradient echo sequence. This method, based on a new mathematical model, provides relaxation parameters for human brain in-vitro and in-vivo. The in-vivo parameters have been obtained from three different regions of normal white matter: occipital white matter, frontal white matter and centrum semiovale; two regions of normal grey matter: cerebral cortex and cerebellum, and from five regions with MS lesions. All this has been achieved using MT images collected within a timeframe that is clinically feasible. We hope that this new technique will shed light on the properties and dynamics of water compartments within the brain.

Pulsed Z-spectroscopic imaging of cross-relaxation parameters in tissues for human MRI: theory and clinical applications

A new method of pulsed Z-spectroscopic imaging is proposed for in vivo visualization and quantification of the parameters describing cross-relaxation between protons with liquid-like and solid-like relaxation properties in tissues. The method is based on analysis of the magnetization transfer (MT) effect as a function of the offset frequency and amplitude of a pulsed off- resonance saturation incorporated in a spoiled gradient-echo MRI pulse sequence. The theoretical concept of the method relies on an approximated analytical model of pulsed MT that provides a simple three-parameter equation for a pulsed steady-state Z-spectrum taken far from resonance. Using this model, the parametric images of cross-relaxation rate constant, content, and T(2) of the semisolid proton fraction can be reconstructed from a series of MT-weighted images and a coregistered T(1) map. The method was implemented on a 0.5 T clinical MRI scanner, and it provided high-quality 3D parametric maps within an acceptable scanning time. The estimates of cross-relaxation parameters in brain tissues were shown to be quantitatively consistent with the literature data. Clinical examples of the parametric images of human brain pathologies (multiple sclerosis and glioma) demonstrated high tissue contrast and clear visualization of the lesions.

Proton magnetization transfer effect in rat liver lactate

Off-resonance lactate magnetization transfer (MT) experiments were performed on the in situ rat liver under perfused and ischemic conditions. A significant MT effect for lactate methyl protons was observed. The effect was larger for the ischemic condition than for the perfused condition, and was largest in the blood-filled ischemic livers. The size of the motionally restricted lactate pool, determined using a two-pool model fit, was estimated to be about 1% in perfused livers and about 1.8-2.5% after more than 1 hr of onset of ischemia, suggesting that lactate in liver is almost fully NMR-visible. The MT data for both the perfused and the ischemic condition appeared to be better approximated when assuming a superLorentzian lineshape for the immobile pool rather than a Gaussian lineshape. Finally, the experiments demonstrated a coupling between the lactate methyl and water protons, which may be mediated by macromolecules.

Quantitative T(1rho) and magnetization transfer magnetic resonance imaging of acute cerebral ischemia in the rat

It has been previously shown that T1 in the rotating frame (T(1rho)) is a very sensitive and early marker of cerebral ischemia and that, interestingly, it can provide prognostic information about the degree of subsequent neuronal damage. In the present study the authors have quantified T(1rho) together with the rate and other variables of magnetization transfer (MT) associated with spin interactions between the bulk and semisolid macromolecular pools by means of Z spectroscopy, to examine the possible overlap of mechanisms affecting these magnetic resonance imaging contrasts. Substantial prolongation of cerebral T(1rho) was observed minutes after induction of ischemia, this change progressing in a time-dependent manner. Difference Z spectra (contralateral nonischemic minus ischemic brain tissue) showed a significant positive reminder in the time points from 0.5 to 3 hours after induction of ischemia, the polarity of this change reversing by 24 hours. Detailed analysis of the MT variables showed that the initial Z spectral changes were due to concerted increase in the maximal MT (+3%) and amount of MT (+4%). Interestingly, the MT rates derived either from the entire frequency range of Z spectra or the time constant for the first-order forward exchange (k(sat)) were unchanged at this time, these variables reducing only one day after induction of ischemia. The authors conclude that T(1rho) changes in the acute phase of ischemia coincide with both elevated maximal MT and amount of MT. These changes occur independent of the overall MT rate and in the absence of net water gain to the tissue, whereas in the consolidating infarction the decrease in the rate and amount of MT, as well as the extensive prolongation of T(1rho), are associated with water accumulation.

Quantitative imaging of magnetization transfer exchange and relaxation properties in vivo using MRI

We describe a novel imaging technique that yields all of the observable properties of the binary spin-bath model for magnetization transfer (MT) and demonstrate this method for in vivo studies of the human head. Based on a new model of the steady-state behavior of the magnetization during a pulsed MT-weighted imaging sequence, this approach yields parametric images of the fractional size of the restricted pool, the magnetization exchange rate, the T(2) of the restricted pool, as well as the relaxation times in the free pool. Validated experimentally on agar gels and samples of uncooked beef, we demonstrate the method's application on two normal subjects and a patient with multiple sclerosis.

Magnetization transfer in MRI: a review

This review describes magnetization transfer (MT) contrast in magnetic resonance imaging. A qualitative description of how MT works is provided along with experimental evidence that leads to a quantitative model for MT in tissues. The implementation of MT saturation in imaging sequences and the interpretation of the MT-induced signal change in terms of exchange processes and direct effects are presented. Finally, highlights of clinical uses of MT are outlined and future directions for investigation proposed.

In vivo evaluation of remyelination in rat brain by magnetization transfer imaging

The aim of this work was to assess quantitatively and qualitatively the ability of magnetization transfer imaging to follow in vivo remyelination. Demyelination lesions were induced in rats by the injection of L-alpha-lysophosphatidylcholine stearoyl into the corpus callosum and imaging was performed in vivo on a 4.7-Tesla system at different time points. The percentage of magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) decrease was calculated for each animal. To evaluate the MTR findings for remyelination, myelin was quantitated by histological analysis of the lesion size and counting the number of remyelinating axons. An MTR decrease was observed when demyelination was present at 7 days after injection. During the remyelinating phase between day 30 and 40 after injection, contralateral values almost complete returned to normal, thus indicating remyelination. Histologically, at days 30 and 40 after injection, the lesion area was reduced in size and the axons were surrounded by a thin myelin sheath, indicating the remyelination process. Statistical analysis showed that the profile of MTR values was significantly correlated with the course of remyelination. All the MTR changes show a correlation with both myelin damage and repair. In conclusion, the study of the MTR profile in this myelin lesion model demonstrates in vivo the loss of myelin and the presence of spontaneous remyelination. This methodological approach which can also be applied to multiple sclerosis patients to show demyelination, should prove helpful to determine the degree of spontaneous and therapeutically induced remyelination in multiple sclerosis lesions, and thus to validate therapeutic treatments for myelin repair.

Quantitative interpretation of magnetization transfer in spoiled gradient echo MRI sequences

A method for analyzing general pulsed magnetization transfer (MT) experiments in which off-resonance saturation pulses are interleaved with on-resonance excitation pulses is presented. We apply this method to develop a steady-state signal equation for MT-weighted spoiled gradient echo sequences and consider approximations that facilitate its rapid computation. Using this equation, we assess various experimental designs for quantitatively imaging the fractional size of the restricted pool, cross-relaxation rate, and T(1) and T(2) relaxation times of the two pools in a binary spin bath system. From experiments on agar gel, this method is shown to reliably and accurately estimate the exchange and relaxation properties of a material in an imaging context, suggesting the feasibility of using this technique in vivo.

1H and (31)P magnetization transfer studies of hindleg muscle in wild-type and creatine kinase-deficient mice

The authors addressed the hypothesis that interactions with creatine kinase (CK) play a role in the off-resonance magnetization transfer (MT) effect of creatine in skeletal muscle. Toward that aim, (1)H MT studies were done on hindleg muscle in wild-type mice and in transgenic mice, lacking cytoplasmic CK and/or mitochondrial CK. The (1)H MT effect was essentially identical in wild-type muscle and the two single CK knock-out muscles, while moderately decreased in tissue lacking both CK isoforms. (31)P-NMR showed no off-resonance (31)P MT effect in skeletal muscle for PCr in any of the mice, while the enzymatic CK reaction flux was circa 0.2-0.3 sec(-1) in the wild-type muscle and in muscle deficient in mitochondrial CK. The CK enzyme flux was negligible in the other two CK knock-outs. These data suggest that CK plays a minor role in the (1)H MT effect of creatine. Irrespective of the underlying mechanism the creatine MT phenomenon probably has no significant consequences for the thermodynamic availability of total creatine to the CK reaction.

Magnetic coupling of creatine/phosphocreatine protons in rat skeletal muscle, as studied by (1)H-magnetization transfer MRS

Off-resonance saturation caused a reduction of the 3.04 ppm NMR signal from the methyl protons of creatine in rat hindleg skeletal muscle. (1)H-NMR spectra were recorded over a 200 kHz range of off-resonance saturation frequencies. The span of frequencies over which the creatine signal was reduced greatly exceeded that expected for direct saturation by the off-resonance RF-field. This suggests that there is a motionally restricted proton pool which exchanges magnetization with the free creatine pool. The experimental data were fitted to characterize the immobilized proton pool and the exchange kinetics, using a two-pool exchange model. The immobile pool was estimated to amount to ca. 2.5% of the mobile pool of free creatine, while the rate of exchange between the mobile and immobile configurations is ca. 2.3 sec(-1). After depletion of phosphocreatine by termination of the animal, the MT effect on the creatine methyl protons remained unchanged. This indicates that phosphocreatine and creatine both contribute to the MT phenomenon. Selective saturation of the mobile water pool also led to a reduction in the intensity of the total creatine methyl signal, suggesting that water and creatine are magnetically coupled via a macromolecular interface. The precise mechanism responsible for and the biological significance of the pronounced creatine magnetization transfer effect in rat skeletal muscle remains to be established. Magn Reson Med 42:665-672, 1999.

Combining CW and pulsed saturation allows in vivo quantitation of magnetization transfer observed for total creatine by (1)H-NMR-spectroscopy of rat brain

Selective saturation of bound nuclei attenuates the MR visible CH(2) and the CH(3) signal of total creatine (tCr) in rat brain in vivo. The low contrast to noise ratio achieved during the limited experiment time makes it difficult to quantify the effect. It is shown that by combining data from continuous-wave and pulsed saturation experiments, quantitation is possible using the standard magnetization transfer model. The model parameters obtained are the transverse relaxation time of the bound spin fraction B, T2R = 31 +/- 8 micros, the exchange rate r(x) = 0.36 +/- 0.04 s(-1), and the concentration ratio of bound nuclei taking part in the exchange to free tCr magnetization, f = M0B/M0A = 0.04 +/- 0.01. The phenomenon can be explained by either an intermolecular exchange of free and bound creatine molecules or by through-space interaction with bound nuclei showing not necessarily the same chemical shift. Magn Reson Med 42:222-227, 1999.

Magnetization transfer imaging of rat brain under non-steady-state conditions. Contrast prediction using a binary spin-bath model and a super-lorentzian lineshape

Magnetization transfer contrast imaging using turbo spin echo and continuous wave off-resonance irradiation was carried out on rat brain in vivo at 4.7 T. By systematically varying the off-resonance irradiation power and the offset-frequency, the signal intensities obtained under steady-state for both transverse and longitudinal magnetization were successfully analyzed with a simple binary spin-bath model taking into account a free water compartment and a pool of protons with restricted motions bearing a super-Lorentzian lineshape. Due to important RF power deposition, such experimental conditions are not practical for routine imaging on humans. An extension of the model was derived to describe the system for shorter off-resonance pulse duration, i.e., when the longitudinal magnetization of the free protons has not reached a steady-state. Data sets obtained for three regions of interest, namely the corpus callosum, the basal ganglia, and the temporal lobe, were correctly interpreted for off-resonance pulse durations varying from 0.3 to 3 s. The parameter sets obtained from the calculations made it possible to predict the contrast between the different regions as a function of the pulse power, the offset frequency, and pulse duration. Such an approach could be extended to contrast prediction for human brain at 1.5 T.