T1 nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion of hyperpolarized sodium and cesium hydrogencarbonate-13 C.

In vivo pH mapping in tissue using hyperpolarized hydrogencarbonate-13 C has been proposed as a method to study tumor growth and treatment and other pathological conditions related to pH changes. The finite spin-lattice relaxation times (T1 ) of hyperpolarized media are a significant limiting factor for in vivo imaging. Relaxation times can be measured at standard magnetic fields (1.5 T, 3.0 T etc.), but no such data are available at low fields, where T1 values can be significantly shorter. This information is required to determine the potential loss of polarization as the agent is dispensed and transported from the polarizer to the MRI scanner. The purpose of this study is to measure T1 dispersion from low to clinical magnetic fields (0.4 mT to 3.0 T) of different hyperpolarized hydrogencarbonate formulations previously proposed in the literature for in vivo pH measurements. 13 C-enriched cesium and sodium hydrogencarbonate preparations were hyperpolarized using dynamic nuclear polarization, and the T1 values of different samples were measured at different magnetic field strengths using a fast field-cycling relaxometer and a 3.0 T clinical MRI system. The effects of deuterium oxide as a dissolution medium for sodium hydrogencarbonate were also analyzed. This study finds that the cesium formulation has slightly shorter T1 values compared with the sodium preparation. However, the higher solubility of cesium hydrogencarbonate-13 C means it can be polarized at greater concentration, using less trityl radical than sodium hydrogencarbonate-13 C. This study also establishes that the preparation and handling of sodium hydrogencarbonate formulations in relation to cesium hydrogencarbonate is more difficult, due to the higher viscosity and lower achievable concentrations, and that deuterium oxide significantly increases the T1 of sodium hydrogencarbonate solutions. Finally, this work also investigates the influence of pH on the spin-lattice relaxation of cesium hydrogencarbonate-13 C measured over a pH range of 7 to 9 at 0.47 T.

Construction and evaluation of a switch-tuned (13) C - (1) H birdcage radiofrequency coil for imaging the metabolism of hyperpolarized (13) C-enriched compounds.

PURPOSE: To construct a switch-tuned (13) C - (1) H birdcage radiofrequency (RF) coil system capable of metabolic imaging of hyperpolarized (13) C-enriched metabolic probes for co-registration with MRI morphology using protons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The switch-tuned coil was constructed using PIN diodes for rapid switching of the resonant frequency of the coil. Identical, single-tuned, (1) H and (13) C birdcage RF coils have also been constructed for comparison of imaging performance. A (13) C receive-only surface RF coil has been integrated with the switch-tuned coil for transmit-only, receive-only operation (TORO) to increase local (13) C signal for improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). RESULTS: The SNR achieved with the switch-tuned coil in transmit/receive mode was 87% that of the single-tuned (1) H coil. For (13) C imaging, the SNR for the switch-tuned coil was 55% that of the single-tuned (13) C coil. TORO operation of the switch-tuned coil with the surface coil increased SNR for by a factor of 4.2 over transmit/receive operation of the switch-tuned coil alone. CONCLUSION: A surface coil can be integrated with a switch-tuned (13) C - (1) H coil for (13) C TORO operation producing improved SNR. In vivo metabolic imaging of [1-(13) C]pyruvate in a rat model of glioma is demonstrated using TORO operation, which is co-registered with (1) H-imaged anatomy.

In vivo single scan detection of both iron-labeled cells and breast cancer metastases in the mouse brain using balanced steady-state free precession imaging at 1.5 T.

PURPOSE: To simultaneously detect iron-labeled cancer cells and brain tumors in vivo in one scan, the balanced steady-state free precession (b-SSFP) imaging sequence was optimized at 1.5 T on mice developing brain metastases subsequent to the injection of micron-sized iron oxide particle-labeled human breast cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: b-SSFP sequence parameters (repetition time, flip angle, and receiver bandwidth) were varied and the signal-to-noise ratio, contrast between the brain and tumors, and the number of detected iron-labeled cells were evaluated. RESULTS: Optimal b-SSFP images were acquired with a 26 msec repetition time, 35° flip angle, and bandwidth of ±21 kHz. b-SSFP images were compared with T(2) -weighted 2D fast spin echo (FSE) and 3D spoiled gradient recalled echo (SPGR) images. The mean tumor-brain contrast-to-noise ratio and the ability to detect iron-labeled cells were the highest in the b-SSFP images. CONCLUSION: A single b-SSFP scan can be used to visualize both iron-labeled cells and brain metastases.

The use of cellular magnetic resonance imaging to track the fate of iron-labeled multipotent stromal cells after direct transplantation in a mouse model of spinal cord injury.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to track the fate of iron-labeled, multipotent stromal cells (MSC) after their direct transplantation into mice with spinal cord injuries using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). PROCEDURES: Mice with spinal cord injuries received a direct transplant of (1) live MSC labeled with micron-sized iron oxide particles (MPIO); (2) dead, MPIO-labeled MSC; (3) unlabeled MSC; or (4) free MPIO and were imaged at 3 T for 6 weeks after transplantation. RESULTS: Live, iron-labeled MSC appeared as a well-defined region of signal loss in the mouse spinal cord at the site of transplant. However, the MR appearance of dead, iron-labeled MSC and free iron particles was similar and persisted for the 6 weeks of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Iron-labeled stem cells can be detected and monitored in vivo after direct transplantation into the injured spinal cord of mice. However, the fate of the iron label is not clear. Our investigation indicates that caution should be taken when interpreting MR images after direct transplantation of iron-labeled cells.

Magnetic field perturbation of neural recording and stimulating microelectrodes.

To improve the overall temporal and spatial resolution of brain mapping techniques, in animal models, some attempts have been reported to join electrophysiological methods with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). However, little attention has been paid to the image artefacts produced by the microelectrodes that compromise the anatomical or functional information of those studies. This work presents a group of simulations and MR images that show the limitations of wire microelectrodes and the potential advantages of silicon technology, in terms of image quality, in MRI environments. Magnetic field perturbations are calculated using a Fourier-based method for platinum (Pt) and tungsten (W) microwires as well as two different silicon technologies. We conclude that image artefacts produced by microelectrodes are highly dependent not only on the magnetic susceptibility of the materials used but also on the size, shape and orientation of the electrodes with respect to the main magnetic field. In addition silicon microelectrodes present better MRI characteristics than metallic microelectrodes. However, metallization layers added to silicon materials can adversely affect the quality of MR images. Therefore only those silicon microelectrodes that minimize the amount of metallic material can be considered MR-compatible and therefore suitable for possible simultaneous fMRI and electrophysiological studies. High resolution gradient echo images acquired at 2 T (TR/TE = 100/15 ms, voxel size = 100 x 100 x 100 microm3) of platinum-iridium (Pt-Ir, 90%-10%) and tungsten microwires show a complete signal loss that covers a volume significantly larger than the actual volume occupied by the microelectrodes: roughly 400 times larger for Pt-Ir and 180 for W, at the tip of the microelectrodes. Similar MR images of a single-shank silicon microelectrode only produce a partial volume effect on the voxels occupied by the probe with less than 50% of signal loss.

Magnetic resonance compatibility of multichannel silicon microelectrode systems for neural recording and stimulation: design criteria, tests, and recommendations.

Magnetic resonance (MR) compatibility of biomedical implants and devices represents a challenge for designers and potential risks for users. This paper addresses these problems and presents the first MR-compatible multichannel silicon chronic microelectrode system, used for recording and electrical stimulation of the central nervous system for animal models. A standard chronic assembly, from the Center for Neural Communication Technology at the University of Michigan, was tested on a 2 Tesla magnet to detect forces, heating, and image distortions, and modified to minimize or eliminate susceptibility artifacts, tissue damage, and electrode displacement, maintaining good image quality and safety to the animals. Multiple commercial connectors were tested for MR compatibility and several options for the reference electrode were also tested to minimize image artifacts and provide a stable biocompatible reference for shortand long-term neural recordings. Different holding screws were tested to anchor the microelectrode assembly on the top of the skull. The final selection of this part was based on MR-compatibility, biocompatibility, durability, and mechanical and chemical stability. The required adaptor to interconnect the MR-compatible microelectrode with standard data acquisition systems was also designed and fabricated. The final design is fully MR-compatible and has been successfully tested on guinea pigs.