United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Development of high temporal-spatial resolution dynamic arterial spin label imaging at 4 Tesla

Scientist
Xiaoping Zhu, Ph.D.

Abstract

The goal of this project is the development of a high-speed dynamic arterial spin label imaging technique at 4T to simultaneously measure cerebral blood flow and endothelial permeability. The work involves 1) optimizing the scan parameter of current GRASE-ASL methods by Mattthias Gunther and David Feinberg; 2) improving ASL sequence, using more efficient RF pulse for spin tagging and back ground suppression, in collaborating with Drs. Andreas Eble and Jerry Matson; 2) reducing scan time, image distortion and motion artifacts using techniques such as parallel imaging etc; 3) selection of a pharmacokinetic model for quantitation of perfusion and permeability, in collaborating with Dr. Ka-loh Li; 4) improving SNR and reducing image artifacts using model based image processing, such as DSM; 5) clinical application, in collaborating with Dr. Norbert Schuff, to early diagnosis of neuro-degenerative diseases.

References:

  • XP Zhu, JM, Hawnaur CE Hutchinson, T Cootes, CJ Taylor, I Isherwood, MR Image synthesis using a flexible model, British Journal of Radiology 67: 976-982. 1994
  • XP Zhu, K-L Li, ID Kamaly-Asl, DR Checkley, JJL Tessier, JC Waterton, and A Jackson, Quantification of endothelial permeability, leakage space and blood volume in brain tumors using combined T1 and T2* contrast-enhanced dynamic MR imaging. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 11: 575-585, 2000
  • Zhu XP, Du AT, Jahng GH, Brian JS, Andrew AM, Weiner MW, Norbert Schuff, Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging reconstruction with deformable shape-intensity models. Magn Reson Med 2003; 50:474-482.
  • Li KL, Zhu XP, Hylton N, Jahng GH, Weiner MW, Schuff N. Four-phase single-capillary stepwise model for kinetics in arterial spin labeling MRI. Magn Reson Med 2005; 53(3):511-518. XP. Zhu, A. Ebel, J.X. Ji, M.W. Weiner, and N. Schuff, “Sensitivity Encoded Three Dimensional Echo Planar Spectroscopic Imaging (3D-EPSI) of Human Brain at 4T“, Proc. ISMRM 14th Scientific Meeting and Exhibition, Seattle, WA, 2006, p. 3075.