This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The overall goal of this project is to develop and evaluate a new Bayesian reconstruction method for low-resolution MRI modalities that reduce artifacts and effectively increase resolution relative to standard Discrete Fourier Transform approaches. The new reconstruction method fully utilizes k-space data to reduce artifacts and the increase in resolution is achieved by incorporating high-resolution information from segmented structural MRI scans acquired in the same scanning session. The focus of the work within the Resource Research application will be to directly apply, extend and validate the Bayesian reconstruction methodology. Perfusion-Weighted MR Imaging (PWI) will be the particular modality chosen for application. However, the methodology will have direct application to a wide range of MR modalities such as magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Aim 1 : To apply the Bayesian low-resolution reconstruction algorithm to PWI. The low-resolution Bayesian reconstruction algorithm has been developed as a general procedure for reconstructing low-resolution MRI modalities. The algorithm will be adapted and applied to PWI datasets for which k-space data has been saved along with corresponding structural MRIs. The Bayesian model will be applied to data describing the change between tagged and untagged perfusion scans, i.e. the complex difference of the tagged and untagged conditions.
Aim 2 : To validate the Bayesian algorithm relative to standard DFT reconstruction. Validation will be performed on both simulated and real data. The simulated data will mimic PWI as accurately as possible based on physical and biological knowledge. The real data will be acquired at higher-resolution than standard acquisition. Currently the volumetric PWI sequence implemented in the laboratory takes 34s to acquire. With improved acquisition sequences to be developed in the acquisition core, along with developments for parallel imaging described elsewhere in the reconstruction core, the inherent PWI resolution will be increased by a factor of two, i.e. to approximately 2x2x2 mm. This relatively high-resolution data can then be utilized as a gold standard that will be down-sampled to give low-resolution data by cutting out the central region of k-space.
Aim 3 : To study the robustness of the Bayesian reconstruction method to miss-registration and segmentation error. Co-registration error between the structural and perfusion MRIs, and segmentation error, are both potential confounding factors for the Bayesian reconstruction algorithm. Since the nature of the propagation of these errors is largely unknown, the Bayesian reconstructions will be examined in the presence of these errors and will be assessed based on metrics of overall error such as root mean square error. Both simulated and real data will be tested.
Aim 4 : To apply the Bayesian reconstruction methodology to a full clinical study. The Bayesian reconstruction algorithm as well as DFT will be applied to a small set of subjects with the objective of comparing perfusion in pathological conditions, e.g. Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) patients, who may present deactivation of certain brain regions relative to healthy controls. Statistical analysis to determine group differences will be performed based on the data from each reconstruction method. This will allow a quantitative assessment as to whether data reconstructed by the Bayesian algorithm method provides greater sensitivity and specificity in characterizing perfusion changes than does data reconstructed via DFT.
Showing the most recent 10 out of 120 publications
