Metabolite T2 Relaxation Times Research Articles

T2 relaxation times of macromolecules and metabolites in the human brain at 9.4 T.

Relaxation times can contribute to spectral assignment. In this study, effective T2 relaxation times ( ) of macromolecules are reported for gray and white matter-rich voxels in the human brain at 9.4 T. The of macromolecules are helpful to understand their behavior and the effect they have on metabolite quantification. Additionally, for absolute quantification of metabolites with magnetic resonance spectroscopy, appropriate T2 values of metabolites must be considered. The T2 relaxation times of metabolites are calculated after accounting for TE/sequence-specific macromolecular baselines. Macromolecular and metabolite spectra for a series of TEs were acquired at 9.4 T using double inversion-recovery metabolite-cycled semi-LASER and metabolite-cycled semi-LASER, respectively. The T2 relaxation times were calculated by fitting the LCModel relative amplitudes of macromolecular peaks and metabolites to a mono-exponential decay across the TE series. Furthermore, absolute concentrations of metabolites were calculated using the estimated relaxation times and internal water as reference. The of macromolecules are reported, which range from 13 ms to 40 ms, whereas, for metabolites, they range from 40 ms to 110 ms. Both macromolecular and metabolite T2 relaxation times are observed to follow the decreasing trend, with increasing B0 . The linewidths of metabolite singlets can be fully attributed to T2 and B0 components. However, in addition to these components, macromolecule linewidths have contributions from J-coupling and overlapping resonances. The T2 relaxation times of all macromolecular and metabolite peaks at 9.4 T in vivo are reported for the first time. Metabolite relaxation times were used to calculate the absolute metabolite concentrations.

Variation of T2 relaxation times in pediatric brain tumors and their effect on metabolite quantification.

BackgroundMetabolite concentrations are fundamental biomarkers of disease and prognosis. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a noninvasive method for measuring metabolite concentrations; however, quantitation is affected by T2 relaxation.PurposeTo estimate T2 relaxation times in pediatric brain tumors and assess how variation in T2 relaxation affects metabolite quantification.Study TypeRetrospective.PopulationTwenty‐seven pediatric brain tumor patients (n = 17 pilocytic astrocytoma and n = 10 medulloblastoma) and 24 age‐matched normal controls.Field Strength/SequenceShort‐ (30 msec) and long‐echo (135 msec) single‐voxel MRS acquired at 1.5T.AssessmentT2 relaxation times were estimated by fitting signal amplitudes at two echo times to a monoexponential decay function and were used to correct metabolite concentration estimates for relaxation effects.Statistical TestsOne‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) on ranks were used to analyze the mean T2 relaxation times and metabolite concentrations for each tissue group and paired Mann–Whitney U‐tests were performed.ResultsThe mean T2 relaxation of water was measured as 181 msec, 123 msec, 90 msec, and 86 msec in pilocytic astrocytomas, medulloblastomas, basal ganglia, and white matter, respectively. The T2 of water was significantly longer in both tumor groups than normal brain (P < 0.001) and in pilocytic astrocytomas compared with medulloblastomas (P < 0.01). The choline T2 relaxation time was significantly longer in medulloblastomas compared with pilocytic astrocytomas (P < 0.05), while the T2 relaxation time of NAA was significantly shorter in pilocytic astrocytomas compared with normal brain (P < 0.001). Overall, the metabolite concentrations were underestimated by ∼22% when default T2 values were used compared with case‐specific T2 values at short echo time. The difference was reduced to 4% when individually measured water T2s were used.Data ConclusionDifferences exist in water and metabolite T2 relaxation times for pediatric brain tumors, which lead to significant underestimation of metabolite concentrations when using default water T2 relaxation times. Level of Evidence: 3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:195–203.

A practical guide to in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at high magnetic fields

Localized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) is a noninvasive tool for measuring in vivo neurochemical information in animal and human brains. With the increase of magnetic field strength, whereas localized 1H-MRS benefits from higher sensitivity and spectral dispersion, it is challenged by increased spatial inhomogeneity of the B0 and B1 fields, larger chemical shift displacement error, and shortened T2 relaxation times of metabolites. Advanced localized 1H-MRS methodologies developed for high magnetic fields have shown promising results and allow the measurement of neurochemical profiles with up to 19 brain metabolites, including less-abundant metabolites, such as glutathione, glycine, γ-aminobutyric acid and ascorbate. To provide a practical guide for conducting in vivo1H-MRS studies at high magnetic field strength, we reviewed various essential technical aspects from data acquisition (hardware requirements, B1 and B0 inhomogeneity, water suppression, localization sequences and acquisition strategies) to data processing (frequency and phase correction, spectral quality control, spectral fitting and concentration referencing). Additionally, we proposed guidelines for choosing the most appropriate data acquisition and processing approaches to maximize the achievable neurochemical information.

Peak joint angular velocities of the straight punch in professional boxers

Localized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) is a noninvasive tool for measuring in vivo neurochemical information in animal and human brains. With the increase of magnetic field strength, whereas localized 1H-MRS benefits from higher sensitivity and spectral dispersion, it is challenged by increased spatial inhomogeneity of the B0 and B1 fields, larger chemical shift displacement error, and shortened T2 relaxation times of metabolites. Advanced localized 1H-MRS methodologies developed for high magnetic fields have shown promising results and allow the measurement of neurochemical profiles with up to 19 brain metabolites, including less-abundant metabolites, such as glutathione, glycine, γ-aminobutyric acid and ascorbate. To provide a practical guide for conducting in vivo 1H-MRS studies at high magnetic field strength, we reviewed various essential technical aspects from data acquisition (hardware requirements, B1 and B0 inhomogeneity, water suppression, localization sequences and acquisition strategies) to data processing (frequency and phase correction, spectral quality control, spectral fitting and concentration referencing). Additionally, we proposed guidelines for choosing the most appropriate data acquisition and processing approaches to maximize the achievable neurochemical information.

In vivo T(2) relaxation time measurement with echo-time averaging.

The accuracy of metabolite concentrations measured using in vivo proton ((1) H) MRS is enhanced following correction for spin-spin (T2 ) relaxation effects. In addition, metabolite proton T2 relaxation times provide unique information regarding cellular environment and molecular mobility. Echo-time (TE) averaging (1) H MRS involves the collection and averaging of multiple TE steps, which greatly simplifies resulting spectra due to the attenuation of spin-coupled and macromolecule resonances. Given the simplified spectral appearance and inherent metabolite T2 relaxation information, the aim of the present proof-of-concept study was to develop a novel data processing scheme to estimate metabolite T2 relaxation times from TE-averaged (1) H MRS data. Spectral simulations are used to validate the proposed TE-averaging methods for estimating methyl proton T2 relaxation times for N-acetyl aspartate, total creatine, and choline-containing compounds. The utility of the technique and its reproducibility are demonstrated using data obtained in vivo from the posterior-occipital cortex of 10 healthy control subjects. Compared with standard methods, distinct advantages of this approach include built-in macromolecule resonance attenuation, in vivo T2 estimates closer to reported values when maximum TE ≈ T2 , and the potential for T2 calculation of metabolite resonances otherwise inseparable in standard (1) H MRS spectra recorded in vivo.

Single-voxel long TE 1H-MR spectroscopy of the normal brainstem and cerebellum.

To evaluate the feasibility of single voxel 1H-MRS of the CNS structures contained in the posterior cranial fossa and to determine the distribution of the normal metabolite ratios, concentrations, and T2 relaxation times in the midbrain, pons, medulla, dentate nucleus and cerebellar vermis. A total of 147 single voxel 1H-MR spectra with a point-resolved proton spectroscopy sequence (PRESS) sequence and echo time (TE) of 136 or 272 msec were obtained in the midbrain, pons, medulla, dentate, and vermis of 31 healthy volunteers. In seven additional patients; the concentrations and T2 relaxation times of metabolites were obtained in the same locations (except the medulla) with an external phantom calibration method and a four TE PRESS technique. Ten (27%) of 36 spectra acquired in the medulla were of poor quality. A similar ranking of the N-acetyl aspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) ratio and choline(Cho)/Cr ratios in the five locations for the two TEs was observed, with the highest values in the pons (mean NAA/Cr = 4.16 +/- 0.6 and Cho/Cr =2.66 +/- 0.6 at TE 272) and the lowest values in the dentate and vermis (mean NAA/Cr = 1.66 +/- 0.2 and Cho/Cr = 1.20 +/- 0.2 at TE 272). The analysis of variance showed significant regional differences of the NAA and Cr concentrations, which had the highest values in the dentate. Non-significant regional differences were observed for the concentration of Cho and for the T2 of the metabolites. With the exception of the medulla, single voxel 1H-MRS enables an in vivo biochemical analysis of the CNS structures contained in the posterior cranial fossa. Regional differences in the metabolite ratios and concentrations must be considered when employing 1H-MRS for evaluation of diseases of the brainstem and cerebellum.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of human basal ganglia: response to cocaine administration

Background: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to determine the effects of intravenous cocaine or placebo administration on human basal ganglia water and metabolite resonances. Methods: Long echo time, proton magnetic resonance spectra of water and intracellular metabolites were continuously acquired from an 8-cm 3 voxel centered on the left caudate and putamen nuclei before, during, and after the intravenous administration of cocaine or a placebo in a double-blind manner. Results: Cocaine, at both 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg, did not alter the peak area for water. Cocaine at 0.2 mg/kg induced small and reversible increases in choline-containing compounds and N-acetylaspartate peak areas. Cocaine at 0.4 mg/kg induced larger and more sustained increases in choline-containing compounds and N-acetylaspartate peak areas. No changes in either water or metabolite resonances were noted following placebo administration. Conclusions: These increases in choline-containing compounds and N-acetylaspartate peak areas may reflect increases in metabolite T2 relaxation times secondary to osmotic stress and/or increased phospholipid signaling within the basal ganglia following cocaine administration. This is the first report of acute, drug-induced changes in the intensity of human brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy resonance areas.