This magnetic resonance imaging method employs a series of chemical exchange spin-lock pulses to capture dynamic changes in the water signal resulting from proton exchange with glucose hydroxyl groups. During the procedure, MR data is acquired both before and after glucose administration using a CESL pulse sequence that includes excitation, spin-lock irradiation, and occasionally inversion pulses. By collecting images at various spin-lock durations and fitting these data points pixel-by-pixel to an exponential decay model, quantitative R1ρ maps are generated, reflecting glucose uptake and metabolism. Implementation utilizes standard MRI components alongside dedicated software routines for real-time data processing and image display.
Description
What differentiates this technology is its ability to reliably detect subtle changes in glucose levels with enhanced sensitivity and temporal resolution at clinical magnetic field strengths, circumventing limitations seen in other techniques such as FDG-PET and glucoCEST. The method’s robustness against magnetic field inhomogeneities and its avoidance of radioactive or toxic tracers offer significant advantages. Its quantitative precision in mapping glucose transport and metabolism enables more accurate assessment of tissue function and pathology, making it a vital tool for a range of clinical applications including oncology, stroke, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Applications
Tumor malignancy imaging
Stroke penumbra detection
Glucose uptake quantification
Treatment response monitoring
Advantages
Provides a non-radioactive, safer alternative to FDG-PET for monitoring glucose metabolism.
Offers higher sensitivity at clinical magnetic field strengths, enabling detection of even low levels of glucose uptake.
Delivers improved temporal resolution and accurate quantification of glucose transport and metabolism through pixel-by-pixel R1ρ mapping.
Utilizes standard MRI hardware and software, making it accessible and cost-effective compared to more specialized imaging modalities.
Reduces susceptibility to static magnetic field shifts, enhancing image robustness and reliability in clinical settings.
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US10203389B2
