Image Readout Research Articles

Romer-EPTI: Rotating-view motion-robust super-resolution EPTI for SNR-efficient distortion-free in-vivo mesoscale diffusion MRI and microstructure imaging.

To overcome the major challenges in diffusion MRI (dMRI) acquisition, including limited SNR, distortion/blurring, and susceptibility to motion artifacts. A novel Romer-EPTI technique is developed to achieve SNR-efficient acquisition while providing distortion-free imaging, minimal spatial blurring, high motion robustness, and simultaneous multi-TE imaging. It introduces a ROtating-view Motion-robust supEr-Resolution technique (Romer) combined with a distortion/blurring-free Echo Planar Time-resolved Imaging (EPTI) readout. Romer enhances SNR through simultaneous multi-thick-slice acquisition with rotating-view encoding, while providing high motion-robustness via a high-fidelity, motion-aware super-resolution reconstruction. Instead of EPI, the in-plane encoding is performed using EPTI readout to prevent geometric distortion, T2/T2*-blurring, and importantly, dynamic distortions that could introduce additional blurring/artifacts after super-resolution reconstruction due to combining volumes with inconsistent geometries. This further improves effective spatial resolution and motion robustness. Additional developments include strategies to address slab-boundary artifacts, achieve minimized TE and optimized readout for additional SNR gain, and increase robustness to strong phase variations at high b-values. Using Romer-EPTI, we demonstrated distortion-free whole-brain mesoscale in-vivo dMRI at both 3T (500-μm isotropic [iso] resolution) and 7T (485-μm iso resolution) for the first time. Motion experiments demonstrated the technique's motion robustness and its ability to obtain high-resolution diffusion images in the presence of subject motion. Romer-EPTI also demonstrated high SNR gain and robustness in high b-value (b = 5000 s/mm2) and time-dependent dMRI. The high SNR efficiency, improved image quality, and motion robustness of Romer-EPTI make it a highly efficient acquisition for high-resolution dMRI and microstructure imaging.

Stimulus-induced rotary saturation imaging of visually evoked response: A pilot study.

Spin-lock (SL) pulses have been proposed to directly detect neuronal activity otherwise inaccessible through standard functional magnetic resonance imaging. However, the practical limits of this technique remain unexplored. Key challenges in SL-based detection include ultra-weak signal variations, sensitivity to magnetic field inhomogeneities, and potential contamination from blood oxygen level-dependent effects, all of which hinder the reliable isolation of neuronal signals. This pilot study evaluates the performance of the stimulus-induced rotary saturation (SIRS) technique to map visual stimulation response in the human cortex. A rotary echo spin-lock (RESL) preparation followed by a 2D echo planar imaging readout was used to investigate 12 healthy subjects at rest and during continuous exposure to 8Hz flickering light. The SL amplitude was fixed to the target neuroelectric oscillations at that frequency. The signal variance was used as contrast metric, and two alternative post-processing pipelines (regression-filtering-rectification and normalized subtraction) were statistically evaluated. Higher variance in the SL signal was detected in four of the 12 subjects. Although group-level analysis indicated activation in the occipital pole, analysis of variance revealed that this difference was not statistically significant, highlighting the need for comparable control measures and more robust preparations. Further optimization in sensitivity and robustness is required to noninvasively detect physiological neuroelectric activity in the human brain.

Scalable, compressed phenotypic screening using pooled perturbations.

High-throughput phenotypic screens using biochemical perturbations and high-content readouts are constrained by limitations of scale. To address this, we establish a method of pooling exogenous perturbations followed by computational deconvolution to reduce required sample size, labor and cost. We demonstrate the increased efficiency of compressed experimental designs compared to conventional approaches through benchmarking with a bioactive small-molecule library and a high-content imaging readout. We then apply compressed screening in two biological discovery campaigns. In the first, we use early-passage pancreatic cancer organoids to map transcriptional responses to a library of recombinant tumor microenvironment protein ligands, uncovering reproducible phenotypic shifts induced by specific ligands distinct from canonical reference signatures and correlated with clinical outcome. In the second, we identify the pleotropic modulatory effects of a chemical compound library with known mechanisms of action on primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cell immune responses. In sum, our approach empowers phenotypic screens with information-rich readouts to advance drug discovery efforts and basic biological inquiry.

Smartphone-deployable and all-in-one machine vision for visual quantification analysis based on distance readout of electrophoresis titration biosensor

As a class of point-of-care (POC) assays with visible distance readout (thermometer style), the electrophoresis titration (ET) biosensor affords high robustness, versatility, and simplicity for point-of-care quantification. However, naked-eye observation of the distance readout is unreliable in POC settings and manual processing of distance readout is time-consuming. Herein, we developed a smartphone-deployable and all-in-one machine vision for four ET biosensors (bovine serum albumin, melamine, uric acid, glutathione) to classify and quantify the samples simultaneously. To ensure accurate and rapid quantification on the smartphone, we customized the decolorization methods and edge detection operators to balance the region of interest (ROI) extraction performance and processing speed. We then established a dataset of 180 distance readout images to endow our machine vision with the ability to classify four sample types. Consequently, our machine vision demonstrated high accuracy in determining the sample type (>97.2%) and concentration (>97.3%). Moreover, expanding its applications to other targets was readily achieved by including distance readout images of other ET biosensors (e.g., hemoglobin A1c) in the dataset. Therefore, our strategy of constructing machine vision is compatible with the versatile ET biosensor technique, suggesting that the same strategy can be used for other thermometer-style POC assays.

Single-shot multi-b-value (SSMb) diffusion-weighted MRI using spin echo and stimulated echoes with variable flip angles.

Conventional diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences employing a spin echo or stimulated echo sensitize diffusion with a specific b-value at a fixed diffusion direction and diffusion time (Δ). To compute apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and other diffusion parameters, the sequence needs to be repeated multiple times by varying the b-value and/or gradient direction. In this study, we developed a single-shot multi-b-value (SSMb) diffusion MRI technique, which combines a spin echo and a train of stimulated echoes produced with variable flip angles. The method involves a pair of 90° radio frequency (RF) pulses that straddle a diffusion gradient lobe (GD), to rephase the magnetization in the transverse plane, producing a diffusion-weighted spin echo acquired by the first echo-planar imaging (EPI) readout train. The magnetization stored along the longitudinal axis is successively re-excited by a series of n variable-flip-angle pulses, each followed by a diffusion gradient lobe GD and a subsequent EPI readout train to sample n stimulated-echo signals. As such, (n + 1) diffusion-weighted images, each with a distinct b-value, are acquired in a single shot. The SSMb sequence was demonstrated on a diffusion phantom and healthy human brain to produce diffusion-weighted images, which werequantitative analyzed using a mono-exponential model. In the phantom experiment, SSMb provided similar ADC values to those from a commercial spin-echo EPI (SE-EPI) sequence (r = 0.999). In the human brain experiment, SSMb enabled a fourfold scan time reduction and yielded slightly lower ADC values (0.83 ± 0.26 μm2/ms) than SE-EPI (0.88 ± 0.29 μm2/ms) in all voxels excluding cerebrospinal fluid, likely due to the influence of varying diffusion times. The feasibility of using SSMb to acquire multiple images in a single shot for intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) analysis was also demonstrated. In conclusion, despite a relatively lowsignal-to-noise ratio, the proposed SSMb technique can substantially increase the data acquisition efficiency in DWI studies.

Image De-noising Based on WMF Technique for Electrical Trees Structure in High Voltage Cable Insulation

Electrical treeing is a common problem during the pre-breakdown phenomenon in solid insulations due to the damage caused by Partial Discharge (PD) that progresses through stressed insulation via chemical degradation, which resembles the shape of a tree root. This resulted in a decrease in performance through degrading the insulation, which became a serious problem while dealing with electrical equipment. Hence, a deep understanding of electrical tree structure is vital to improving the quality of solid insulations. Ergo, optical microscopy is primarily used to examine tree structures, shapes, and fractal dimensions to reconstruct electrical tree structures for morphological study. However, optical microscopy images are frequently degraded by noise from readout procedures or image data acquisition systems, noise caused by occlusion, illumination, non-uniform intensity, destroying potential tree pixels, and a critical loss of information about the electrical tree structures. Therefore, this research proposed the Wiener Median Fusion (WMF) filter for electrical tree study. The performance of the WMF de-noising technique improves the image quality for the precise portrayal of the electrical tree structure based on thresholding segmentation algorithm analysis in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and false positive rate. Based on the analysis of the thresholding segmentation algorithm, Otsu's thresholding exhibits the highest result compared to Niblack. The Otsu's overall percentage in terms of accuracy is 80.2934%, the sensitivity is 99.1513%, and the false positive rate is 82.6265%.

Effects and optimizations of image charge technology on the imaging performance of capacitive division image readout MCP detectors

A finite element model is proposed to investigate the impact of image charge technology on the imaging performance of capacitive division image readout (C-DIR) devices. Through detailed simulation analysis, we explore the charge density of the induction layer and each electrode layer in the multilayer capacitive anode. The position nonlinearity is calculated for various resistances per square of the induction layer and substrate thicknesses. The simulation results indicate a strong linear correlation between the position nonlinearity and substrate thickness, and an exponential decay relationship with the logarithmic resistance per square of the induction layer. The C-DIR detector is experimentally tested for imaging nonlinearity and counting rate, with the resistance per square of the induction layer ranging from 0.005 to 1000 MΩ, and the substrate thickness ranging from 1 to 5 mm. The experimental results validate the simulation conclusions and reveal the impact of the “charge accumulation effect” and “shielding effect” on the imaging performance of the detector, as well as the “imaging compression” phenomenon. Optimized image charge readout technology enables the C-DIR detector to achieve an imaging nonlinearity of 1.53% in the experiment.

Impact of geometric correction on echo-planar imaging-based apparent diffusion coefficient maps for abdominal radiotherapy

Objective. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) extracted from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) is a potential biomarker in radiotherapy (RT). DWI is often implemented with an echo-planar imaging (EPI) read-out due to speed, but unfortunately low geometric accuracy follows. This study aimed to investigate the influence of geometric distortions on the ADCs extracted from the gross tumor volume (GTV) and on the shape of the GTV in abdominal EPI-DWI. Approach. Twenty-one patients had EPI-DWI scans on a 1.5 T MRI sim before treatment and on a 1.5 T MRI-Linac at one of the first treatment fractions. Off-resonance correction with and without eddy current correction were applied to ADC maps. The clinical GTVs were deformed based on the same (but inverted) corrections to assess the local-regional geometric influence of distortions. Mean surface distance (MSD), Hausdorff distance (HD), and Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) were calculated to compare the original and distorted GTVs, and ADC values were calculated based on a mono-exponential model. Phantom measurements were performed to validate the applied correction method. Main results. The median (range) ADC change within the GTV after full distortion correction was 1.3% (0.02%–6.9%) for MRI-Sim and 1.5% (0.1%–6.4%) for MRI-Linac. The additional effect of the eddy current correction was small in both systems. The median (range) MSD, HD, and DSC comparing the original and off-resonance distorted GTVs for all patients were 0.43 mm (0.11–0.94 mm), 4.00 mm (1.00–7.81 mm) and 0.93 (0.82–0.99), respectively. Significance. Overall effect of distortion correction was small in terms of derived ADC values, indicating that distortion correction is unimportant for prediction of outcomes based on ADC. However, large local geometric changes occurred after off-resonance distortion correction for some patients, suggesting that if the spatial information from ADC maps is to be used for dose painting strategies, corrections should be applied.

Can machine learning reduce the number of anode readouts for reconstruction of coincident single photons in CDIR resistive sea photon detectors?

This study focuses on exploring the potential of Charge Division Imaging Readout (CDIR) for micro-Channel plate (MCP) based resistive sea photon detectors. The CDIR technique spreads the MCP charge footprint capacitively between readout nodes forming anode segments. Charge measurements at each node are then used to reconstruct incident photon’s position and time. A primary objective is to investigate the minimum number of anode segmentation’s necessary, to allow successful reconstruction of multiple photons within a given time interval where pile up would be an issue for traditional approaches. Allowing for optimisation of the anode structure, investigating for a readout schematic to improve timing, rate capability, and reduce distortion effects.Algorithmic and machine learning (ML) techniques will be compared and utilised to reconstruct spatial positions of multiple photons. The comparison will aim to determine if machine learning techniques can be utilised to correct for algorithmic systematic errors to provide a more robust system, whilst removing the need for complex calibrations and allowing for efficient implementation on FPGA in future work.

ImAge quantitates aging and rejuvenation.

For efficient, cost-effective and personalized healthcare, biomarkers that capture aspects of functional, biological aging, thus predicting disease risk and lifespan more accurately and reliably than chronological age, are essential. We developed an imaging-based chromatin and epigenetic age (ImAge) that captures intrinsic age-related trajectories of the spatial organization of chromatin and epigenetic marks in single nuclei, in mice. We show that such trajectories readily emerge as principal changes in each individual dataset without regression on chronological age, and that ImAge can be computed using several epigenetic marks and DNA labeling. We find that interventions known to affect biological aging induce corresponding effects on ImAge, including increased ImAge upon chemotherapy treatment and decreased ImAge upon caloric restriction and partial reprogramming by transient OSKM expression in liver and skeletal muscle. Further, ImAge readouts from chronologically identical mice inversely correlated with their locomotor activity, suggesting that ImAge may capture elements of biological and functional age. In sum, we developed ImAge, an imaging-based biomarker of aging with single-cell resolution rooted in the analysis of spatial organization of epigenetic marks.

Multi-visual-inertial system: Analysis, calibration, and estimation

In this paper, we study state estimation of multi-visual-inertial systems (MVIS) and develop sensor fusion algorithms to optimally fuse an arbitrary number of asynchronous inertial measurement units (IMUs) or gyroscopes and global and/or rolling shutter cameras. We are especially interested in the full calibration of the associated visual-inertial sensors, including the IMU/camera intrinsics and the IMU-IMU/camera spatiotemporal extrinsics as well as the image readout time of rolling-shutter cameras (if used). To this end, we develop a new analytic combined IMU integration with inertial intrinsics—termed ACI3—to pre-integrate IMU measurements, which is leveraged to fuse auxiliary IMUs and/or gyroscopes alongside a base IMU. We model the multi-inertial measurements to include all the necessary inertial intrinsic and IMU-IMU spatiotemporal extrinsic parameters, while leveraging IMU-IMU rigid-body constraints to eliminate the necessity of auxiliary inertial poses and thus reducing computational complexity. By performing observability analysis of MVIS, we prove that the standard four unobservable directions remain—no matter how many inertial sensors are used, and also identify, for the first time, degenerate motions for IMU-IMU spatiotemporal extrinsics and auxiliary inertial intrinsics. In addition to extensive simulations that validate our analysis and algorithms, we have built our own MVIS sensor rig and collected over 25 real-world datasets to experimentally verify the proposed calibration against the state-of-the-art calibration method Kalibr. We show that the proposed MVIS calibration is able to achieve competing accuracy with improved convergence and repeatability, which is open sourced to better benefit the community.

Interobserver Agreement Rates on CXCR4-Directed PET/CT in Patients with Marginal Zone Lymphoma

C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)-directed molecular imaging provides excellent read-out capabilities in patients with marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). We aimed to determine the interobserver agreement rate of CXCR4-targeted PET/CT among readers with different levels of experience.Methods50 subjects with MZL underwent CXCR4-targeted PET/CT, which were reviewed by four readers (including two experienced and two less experienced observers). The following 8 parameters were investigated: overall scan result, CXCR4 density in lymphoma tissue, extranodal organ involvement, No. of affected extranodal organs and extranodal organ metastases, lymph node (LN) involvement and No. of affected LN areas and LN metastases. We applied intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC; < 0.4, poor; 0.4–0.59, fair; 0.6–0.74, good and > 0.74 excellent agreement rates).ResultsAmong all readers, fair agreement was recorded for No. of affected extranodal organs (ICC, 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25–0.68), overall scan result (ICC, 0.42; 95%CI, 0.28–0.57), CXCR4 density in lymphoma tissue (ICC, 0.52; 95%CI, 0.38–0.66), and No. of extranodal organ metastases (ICC, 0.55; 95%CI, 0.41–0.61) and LN involvement (ICC, 0.59; 95%CI, 0.46–0.71). Good agreement rates were observed for No. of LN metastases (ICC, 0.71; 95%CI, 0.60–0.81) and No. of LN areas (ICC, 0.73; 95%CI, 0.63–0.82), while extranodal organ involvement (ICC, 0.35; 95%CI, 0.21–0.51) achieved poor concordance. On a reader-by-reader comparison, the experienced readers achieved significantly higher agreement rates in 4/8 (50%) investigated scan items (ICC, range, 0.21–0.90, P < / = 0.04). In the remaining 4/8 (50%), a similar trend with higher ICCs for the experienced readers was recorded (n.s.).ConclusionCXCR4-directed PET/CT mainly provided fair to good agreement rates for scan assessment, while a relevant level of experience seems to be required for an accurate imaging read-out.

Use of Neurophysiological Monitoring during MR Imaging–Guided Ablation Procedures at 1.5 T: Workflow and Safety Considerations

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) during magnetic resonance (MR) imaging–guided ablations and identify strategies to reduce IONM electrode radiofrequency (RF) heating during MR imaging. Materials and MethodsEx vivo experiments with a porcine tissue phantom simulating a typical high RF heating risk IONM setup during an MR imaging–guided ablation procedure on the shoulder were performed using a 1.5-T scanner. Mutual interference between MR imaging and IONM was evaluated. To assess RF heating risks, 4 pairs of IONM electrodes were inserted into the phantom at regions corresponding to the shoulders, midarm, and wrist. MR imaging of the “shoulder” was performed at 3 different specific absorption rates (SARs) with electrode wires positioned in various geometric configurations. Different combinations of electrode connections to the IONM system were investigated. Temperatures of each electrode were recorded using fiber-optic sensors. ResultsSimultaneous IONM readout and MR imaging resulted in distortion of the IONM signal, but interleaving MR imaging and IONM without moving electrodes was feasible. During MR imaging, temperature elevations greater than 60°C at the electrode insertion sites were observed. Temperature reductions were achieved by routing electrode wires along the scanner central axis, reducing the wire length within the scanner bore, or lowering the SAR of the imaging sequence. Altering the electrode connection with the IONM system did not result in consistent changes in RF heating. ConclusionsWith electrodes in the scanner bore, interleaving IONM and MR imaging is desired to avoid signal interference, and several strategies identified herein can reduce risk of electrode RF heating during MR imaging–guided ablation.

Ultrasound imaging for assessing aortic phenotypes: A preclinical tool for measuring cardiac disease model progression and therapeutic effect

Cardiac dysfunction is a common feature of numerous diseases, ranging from metabolic disorders like Mucopolysaccharidosis Type 1 (MPS I), a.k.a. Hurler syndrome to neuromuscular disorders such as Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1). The ability to quantify cardiac abnormalities in animal models of these diseases is a valuable translational tool for preclinical testing of novel therapeutic approaches. In contrast to methods that measure the left ventricle (LV) phenotype, we employed ultrasound imaging to assess the ascending aortic diameter and ascending aortic blood velocity. MethodsWe imaged two disease models - MPS I Hurler mouse model and DM1 mouse model (DMSXL) - using the Vevo2100 platform. Ascending aortic diameter in the proximal thoracic aortic region and ascending aortic blood velocity just before the branching point of the brachiocephalic artery were measured as rapid imaging readouts. In addition, histopathology was performed on relevant tissue samples. ResultsThe two mouse models demonstrate opposing aorta phenotypes. Hurler mice had a dilated aorta and slightly increased blood velocity with disease progression, while the aorta diameter in DMSXL mice narrowed and had a blood velocity decrease as the disease progressed. In the Hurler model, we demonstrated that a single dose of adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivered gene therapy provides aortic phenotype improvement. In the DMSXL model, we established aortic phenotype criteria at baseline. ConclusionUltrasound imaging of aortic diameter and blood velocity can offer objective and longitudinal assessments of disease progression and treatment efficacy in real time. This method might therefore have noninvasive clinical applicability as phenotype indicator of cardiac dysfunction.

Exhaustive in vitro evaluation of the 9-drug cocktail CUSP9 for treatment of glioblastoma

The CUSP9 protocol is a polypharmaceutical strategy aiming at addressing the complexity of glioblastoma by targeting multiple pathways. Although the rationale for this 9-drug cocktail is well-supported by theoretical and in vitro data, its effectiveness compared to its 511 possible subsets has not been comprehensively evaluated. Such an analysis could reveal if fewer drugs could achieve similar or better outcomes.We conducted an exhaustive in vitro evaluation of the CUSP9 protocol using COMBImageDL, our specialized framework for testing higher-order drug combinations. This study assessed all 511 subsets of the CUSP9v3 protocol, in combination with temozolomide, on two clonal cultures of glioma-initiating cells derived from patient samples. The drugs were used at fixed, clinically relevant concentrations, and the experiment was performed in quadruplicate with endpoint cell viability and live-cell imaging readouts. Our results showed that several lower-order drug combinations produced effects equivalent to the full CUSP9 cocktail, indicating potential for simplified regimens in personalized therapy. Further validation through in vivo and precision medicine testing is required.Notably, a subset of four drugs (auranofin, disulfiram, itraconazole, sertraline) was particularly effective, reducing cell growth, altering cell morphology, increasing apoptotic-like cells within 4–28 h, and significantly decreasing cell viability after 68 h compared to untreated cells.This study underscores the importance and feasibility of comprehensive in vitro evaluations of complex drug combinations on patient-derived tumor cells, serving as a critical step toward (pre-)clinical development.

Advancing 2D reaction rate measurements in BNCT: Validation of the indirect neutron radiography method

The precise characterization of neutron beams is a cornerstone of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). While Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) is the standard technique for neutron flux measurement, it is limited in its ability to capture two-dimensional (2D) reaction rate distributions. This study aims to validate the Indirect Neutron Radiography (INR) method for 2D reaction rate quantification, addressing critical variables such as temperature sensitivity and signal fading. We designed and constructed an optimized INR platform comprising an Imaging Plate (IP), readout device, activation detectors (copper foils), and real-time temperature monitoring. Comprehensive experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of ambient temperature and fading time on IP signal reliability. A robust calibration curve was formulated, linking IP signals to dose deposition metrics, thereby enabling precise reaction rate assessments. The study found that IP signals are minimally sensitive to temperature variations (less than 0.1% change per 1 °C), but are subjected to linear fading over time, necessitating stringent temperature control and time-dependent signal corrections. A mathematical relationship between IP signals and dose deposition was established, represented by Y = 20,500 × x0.01803-21103. Application of the INR method revealed that the depth-dependent reaction rates in copper strips closely aligned with those acquired through INAA, exhibiting a relative deviation of less than 5% within a 4cm depth range inside the phantom. Our findings demonstrate that the INR method offers a robust alternative to traditional INAA for capturing 2D reaction rates, effectively addressing complexities like temperature sensitivity and signal fading. While challenges persist, particularly in the realm of measurement errors, this study lays the groundwork for further methodological refinements and broadens the scope for future research in BNCT neutron beam characterization.

Uncovering atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease by PET imaging.

Assessing atherosclerosis severity is essential for precise patient stratification. Specifically, there is a need to identify patients with residual inflammation because these patients remain at high risk of cardiovascular events despite optimal management of cardiovascular risk factors. Molecular imaging techniques, such as PET, can have an essential role in this context. PET imaging can indicate tissue-based disease status, detect early molecular changes and provide whole-body information. Advances in molecular biology and bioinformatics continue to help to decipher the complex pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and inform the development of imaging tracers. Concomitant advances in tracer synthesis methods and PET imaging technology provide future possibilities for atherosclerosis imaging. In this Review, we summarize the latest developments in PET imaging techniques and technologies for assessment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and discuss the relationship between imaging readouts and transcriptomics-based plaque phenotyping.

What contributes to disability in progressive MS? A brain and cervical cord–matched quantitative MRI study

Background: We assessed the ability of a brain-and-cord-matched quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) protocol to differentiate patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) from controls, in terms of normal-appearing (NA) tissue abnormalities, and explain disability. Methods: A total of 27 patients and 16 controls were assessed on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), 25-foot timed walk (TWT), 9-hole peg (9HPT) and symbol digit modalities (SDMT) tests. All underwent 3T brain and (C2-C3) cord structural imaging and qMRI (relaxometry, quantitative magnetisation transfer, multi-shell diffusion-weighted imaging), using a fast brain-and-cord–matched protocol with brain-and-cord–unified imaging readouts. Lesion and NA-tissue volumes and qMRI metrics reflecting demyelination and axonal loss were obtained. Random forest analyses identified the most relevant volumetric/qMRI measures to clinical outcomes. Confounder-adjusted linear regression estimated the actual MRI-clinical associations. Results: Several qMRI/volumetric differences between patients and controls were observed (p < 0.01). Higher NA-deep grey matter quantitative-T1 (EDSS: beta = 7.96, p = 0.006; 9HPT: beta = −0.09, p = 0.004), higher NA-white matter orientation dispersion index (TWT: beta = −3.21, p = 0.005; SDMT: beta = −847.10, p < 0.001), lower whole-cord bound pool fraction (9HPT: beta = 0.79, p = 0.001) and higher NA-cortical grey matter quantitative-T1 (SDMT = −94.31, p < 0.001) emerged as particularly relevant predictors of greater disability. Conclusion: Fast brain-and-cord–matched qMRI protocols are feasible and identify demyelination – combined with other mechanisms – as key for disability accumulation in PMS.

Associations of Intracranial Artery Length and Branch Number on Time-of-Flight MRA With Cognitive Impairment in Hypertensive Older Males.

Hypertension-induced impairment of the cerebral artery network contributes to cognitive impairment. Characterizing the structure and function of cerebral arteries may facilitate the understanding of hypertension-related pathological mechanisms and lead to the development of new indicators for cognitive impairment. To investigate the associations between morphological features of the intracranial arteries distal to the circle of Willis on time-of-flight MRA (TOF-MRA) and cognitive performance in a hypertensive cohort. Prospective observational study. 189 hypertensive older males (mean age 64.9 ± 7.2 years). TOF-MRA sequence with a 3D spoiled gradient echo readout and arterial spin labeling perfusion imaging sequence with a 3D stack-of-spirals fast spin echo readout at 3T. The intracranial arteries were segmented from TOF-MRA and the total length of distal arteries (TLoDA) and number of arterial branches (NoB) were calculated. The mean gray matter cerebral blood flow (GM-CBF) was extracted from arterial spin labeling perfusion imaging. The cognitive level was assessed with short-term and long-term delay-recall auditory verbal learning test (AVLT) scores, and with montreal cognitive assessment. Univariable and multivariable linear regression were used to analyze the associations between TLoDA, NoB, GM-CBF and the cognitive assessment scores, with P < 0.05 indicating significance. TLoDA (r = 0.314) and NoB (r = 0.346) were significantly correlated with GM-CBF. Multivariable linear regression analyses showed that TLoDA and NoB, but not GM-CBF (P = 0.272 and 0.141), were significantly associated with short-term and long-term delay-recall AVLT scores. These associations remained significant after adjusting for GM-CBF. The TLoDA and NoB of distal intracranial arteries on TOF-MRA are significantly associated with cognitive impairment in hypertensive subjects. 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

A silent echo-planar spectroscopic imaging readout with high spectral bandwidth MRSI using an ultrasonic gradient axis.

We present a novel silent echo-planar spectroscopic imaging (EPSI) readout, which uses an ultrasonic gradient insert to accelerate MRSI while producing a high spectral bandwidth (20 kHz) and a low sound level. The ultrasonic gradient insert consisted of a single-axis (z-direction) plug-and-play gradient coil, powered by an audio amplifier, and produced 40 mT/m at 20 kHz. The silent EPSI readout was implemented in a phase-encoded MRSI acquisition. Here, the additional spatial encoding provided by this silent EPSI readout was used to reduce the number of phase-encoding steps. Spectroscopic acquisitions using phase-encoded MRSI, a conventional EPSI-readout, and the silent EPSI readout were performed on a phantom containing metabolites with resonance frequencies in the ppm range of brain metabolites (0-4 ppm). These acquisitions were used to determine sound levels, showcase the high spectral bandwidth of the silent EPSI readout, and determine the SNR efficiency and the scan efficiency. The silent EPSI readout featured a 19-dB lower sound level than a conventional EPSI readout while featuring a high spectral bandwidth of 20 kHz without spectral ghosting artifacts. Compared with phase-encoded MRSI, the silent EPSI readout provided a 4.5-fold reduction in scan time. In addition, the scan efficiency of the silent EPSI readout was higher (82.5% vs. 51.5%) than the conventional EPSI readout. We have for the first time demonstrated a silent spectroscopic imaging readout with a high spectral bandwidth and low sound level. This sound reduction provided by the silent readout is expected to have applications in sound-sensitive patient groups, whereas the high spectral bandwidth could benefit ultrahigh-field MR systems.