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Quantophyse: QuantiCEST | Engineering Science Department - University of Oxford

QuantiCEST

Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer MRI Metabolism

Overview

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Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer MRI (CEST MRI) is a molecular MR technique that captures the chemical properties of proton pools at concentrations too low for conventional MRI. By imaging their interaction with water protons, we can gain insight in to physiological information, such as pH, which has previously required invasive methods.

CEST Analysis in Quantiphyse 

The QuantiCEST tool provides Bayesian model-based analysis as well as various model-free metrics. Model-based analysis is based on the Bloch-McConnell model and, where possible, provides proton concentration and exchange maps, and resulting proton transfer ratio metric, CESTR*. Offering the advantage of inherently correcting for field inhomogeneities and T1/T2 effects.

Details

Model-based options

Bayesian model based analysis is best suited to CEST MRI data acquired across a well-sampled z-spectra, at single or multiple saturation powers. The tool includes:

  • Basic experimental 3T setup for Amide Proton Transfer analysis already set.
  • Flexibility to incorporate additional proton pools, allowing for any custom multi-pool model.
  • Option to incorporate prior T1and Tmaps.
  • No need for separate field map acquisition where suitable z-spectra samples are available.

Model-free options

QuantiCEST includes a range of simple and more sophisticated model-free CEST analysis options including:

  • MTR Asymmetry.
  • Lorentzian difference analysis.
  • Multi-lorentzian model fitting.