The primary objective of this work is to create routinely useful techniques for spin-echo-based, three-dimensional (3D), single-slab magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the human brain in clinically reasonable times. The comprehensive, high-resolution coverage accomplished with these new sequences will provide more complete descriptions of pathological components of brain diseases, higher probabilities of detecting focal abnormalities, and more accurate, quantitative evaluations of the extent of lesions. The new methods have not been feasible before now because of performance limitations of the gradient subsystems on MR imagers. The advent of high- performance gradient subsystems has created this opportunity for SE-based 3D, single-slab acquisitions.
The research aims to: (1) refine the design of the new pulse sequence architectures, (2) examine their contrast and artifact behaviors, (3) address image artifacts arising from the gradient system's performance, (4) implement the sequences on an imager in a research setting and optimize the design, and (5) demonstrate in a clinical setting that the new techniques yield higher resolution, and contrast and artifacts at least comparable to current 2D SE-based techniques. Generally, the proposed work is a necessary series of tests and refinements of new pulse sequences and new equipment, culminating in a clinical assessment of brain lesions in patients who have multiple sclerosis. The series progresses from theoretical studies to experimental imaging of phantoms and healthy volunteers to patient studies. The major challenge is to resolve issues related to the contrast and artifact features of the sequences and the gradient system's performance. A powerful technique for acquiring three-dimensional images of the human brain will result from this research. Because of its high spatial resolution, the technique will be important for diagnostic neuroimaging, and highly useful for quantitative assessment of tissue volumes in the brain. The latter outcome will provide improved objective assessment of changes in brain tissue over the course of therapeutic trials. Furthermore, the proposed technique, when implemented, will supply a tool with new capabilities for MRI-based research into the pathogenesis of disseminated diseases of the brain.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS035142-02
Application #
2379771
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG7-DMG (01))
Program Officer
Jacobs, Tom P
Project Start
1996-05-01
Project End
2000-02-29
Budget Start
1997-03-01
Budget End
1998-02-28
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Virginia
Department
Radiation-Diagnostic/Oncology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001910777
City
Charlottesville
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
22904
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Meier, Dominik S; Weiner, Howard L; Guttmann, Charles R G (2007) Time-series modeling of multiple sclerosis disease activity: a promising window on disease progression and repair potential? Neurotherapeutics 4:485-98
Pouwels, Petra J W; Kuijer, Joost P A; Mugler 3rd, John P et al. (2006) Human gray matter: feasibility of single-slab 3D double inversion-recovery high-spatial-resolution MR imaging. Radiology 241:873-9
Wu, Ying; Warfield, Simon K; Tan, I Leng et al. (2006) Automated segmentation of multiple sclerosis lesion subtypes with multichannel MRI. Neuroimage 32:1205-15

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