bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of T1-Weighted DANTE-SPACE for Intracranial Vessel Wall Imaging at 7T
Authors: Kong Xiangchuang , Ma Jun , Westerhold Erin , Middlebrooks Eric , Tao Shengzhen , Lin Chen , Zhou Xiangzhi
Published: August 2024

MR vessel-wall-imaging (VWI) is used clinically for noninvasive characterization of vessel wall pathology. The DANTE preparation module has been combined with conventional 3D-T1W-SPACE to achieve better slow-flow-suppression. 7T could further improve VWI by its increased SNR and spatial-resolution. Here we sought to optimize DANTE preparation module for T1W-SPACE at 7T. Simulations were done to determine the optimal parameters for the DANTE module. Human scans showed that the optimized T1W- DANTE-SPACE at 7T efficiently suppressed slow-blood-flow in both intracranial arteries and veins, and in turn improved wall contrast compared with conventional T1W-SPACE.
High Resolution Intracranial MR Angiography at 3T and 7T using a Deep Learning based Image Reconstruction
Authors: Takei Naoyuki , Yang Baolian , Burns Brian , Ikushima Yoichiro , Lebel R , Magnotta Vince , Tsushima Fumiyasu , Kakeda Shingo , Nozaki Atsushi , Wakayama Tetsuya
Published: August 2024

Ultra-high-field MRA shows the promise to improve visualize the microvasculature and become an important investigation tool for research. However, increasing the consistency in image quality and reliability of small vessel visualization is necessary to demonstrate useful MR applications in clinical practice. We developed a deep learning-based reconstruction method to provide reduced noise and enhanced spatial resolution. The technique was evaluated by applying it to 3DTOF MRA data at 3T and 7T, demonstrating improved small vessel depiction.
Super resolution permits fast, low resolution bSSFP imaging of the temporal bone…but do radiologists agree on image quality?
Authors: Reeve Sarah , Guida Alessandro , Bowen Chris , Rioux James , Volders David , Heidenreich Jens , Beyea Steven
Published: August 2024

Low resolution (LR) balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) acquisitions confer decreased acquisition times, reduced patient motion and heating, and increased artifact tolerance due to a decrease in TR. The application of a pre-trained super resolution network to LR bSSFP images of the temporal bone allows for these advantages to be realized, without significantly degrading image quality. In the absence of a matched high resolution image, quality was judged by two radiologists. However, radiologist’s ratings were not in agreement, highlighting the fact that there is no single definition of task-specific image quality, which must be considered when super resolution is performed.
Multivariate data-driven approach to dissect imaging-genetic associations in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Zhuang Xiaowei , Yang Zhengshi , Cordes Dietmar
Published: August 2024

To better characterize the Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis and boost the statistical power, we applied a multivariate data-driven approach (independent component analysis (ICA)) to decompose 70000+ single nucleotide variants (SNVs) from 239 AD-associated genes into multiple functionally relevant subsets. We demonstrated that several genetic clusters identified by ICA could be specially associated with AD clinical diagnosis, AD amyloid or tau pathology, and/or MRI-derived neurodegenerative markers. This type of multivariate data-driven approach could be helpful to further delineate diagnoses-associated or neuropathology-associated genetic variants in AD.
Neuroimaging and Cognitive Testing in Healthy Aging Adults using a Portable Low-Field MRI Scanner and Web-Based Assessment
Authors: Deoni Sean , Burton Phoebe , Beauchemin Jennifer , Cano-Lorente Rosa , De Both Matthew , Johnson Megan , Ryan Lee , Huentleman Mathew
Published: August 2024

In this study we sought to (1) Determine the feasibility of collecting remote MRI and cognitive data in adults and elderly individuals; and (2) Replicate previously reported population-based associations between regional brain volumes and cognitive performance with an established cognitive assessment, PAL. Overall, this initial report of at-home MRI shows that MRI data collection on a portable low-field MRI system at a participant's home is possible and offers time efficiency, convenience, and accessibility to participants who might otherwise not be able to participate.
3D-MRSI using co-polarized HP [1-13C]pyruvate and [1-13C]dehydroascorbate to study a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Porcari Paola , Patel Saket , Coffee Elizabeth , Berishaj Marjan , Jain Tanya , Deh Kofi , Kim Nathaniel , Li Yueming , Keshari Kayvan
Published: August 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is devastating and progressive disease. The non-invasive detection of early onset AD along with the mechanisms that drive its progression are still limited. Recent work has implicated metabolic reprogramming as an earlier AD potential indicator. Therefore, we investigated an AD mouse model at the early stage of development with the goal to evaluate whether co-hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate and [1-13C]dehydroascorbate (DHA) along with 3D MRSI might provide insights into the brain metabolism of FAD mice at the onset of the disease. The metabolism of these translatable biomarkers would then give insight on our understanding of AD diagnosis and treatment.
Altered brain function and structure in a transgenic mouse which overexpress MTH1 hydrolase following an oxidative stimulus by rs-fMRI and DTI
Authors: Singh Taljinder , de Pasquale Francesco , De Luca Gabriele , Fortini Paola , Simonelli Valeria , Canese Rossella
Published: August 2024

Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of cancer, neurodegeneration and aging. hMTH1 is a hydrolase able to protect cells by oxidative damage. Overexpression of hMTH1 in transgenic mice confers significant protection against oxidative damage. Our study showed alterations in the brain networks of hMTH1-Tg mice with respect to their controls. The chronical exposure to an oxidant agent (Paraquat, most widely used herbicide) causes differences in the brain function (measured by rs-fMRI) and structure (measured by DTI) of transgenic mice.
Brain connectivity markers for the diagnosis of non-suicidal self-injury in adolescents: a DTI and resting-state fMRI study
Authors: Jiang Ping , Niu Zhiang , Lin Hai , Dai Yongming , Xu Jiajun
Published: August 2024

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), defined as the deliberate damage or destruction of body tissue without the intent to die, is a common behavior amongst adolescents. We conducted connectome-based analysis to investigate neural correlates of self-injury and identified several potential brain connectivity markers of NSSI diagnosis. On basis of these markers, the random forest model achieved an accuracy of 78.2% to discriminate between NSSI and non-NSSI patients. Our study indicated that structural and functional connectivity could characterize the behavior of self-injury and help early NSSI diagnosis in adolescents.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging reveals fidgeting in ADHD improves prefrontal cortex activation during executive functioning
Authors: Zhao Xirui , Condron Paul , Kumar Haribalan , Kwon Eryn , Waters Gina , Erb Christopher , Dudley Makarena , Taylor Davidson , Newburn Gil , Maller Jerome , Shim Vickie , Wang Alan , Holdsworth Samantha , Waldie Karen , Fernandez Justin
Published: August 2024

People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are often observed to fidget or display repetitive fine motor skills. Though it has been proposed that fidgeting may assist with concentration and sustained attention, there is little objective evidence to support this idea. This is the first study to evaluate the impact of fidgeting, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), with neurotypical and ADHD adult volunteers. Comparative analyses revealed significant increases in medial prefrontal cortex brain activation while fidgeting during executive functioning in the ADHD participant. This distinction may provide additional information in future MRI diagnosis of ADHD.
Abnormal brain function changes in chronic tinnitus with hearing loss: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Xie Jiapei , Wang Meiyun
Published: August 2024

To investigate the differences of spontaneous brain activity and brain functional connectivity between chronic tinnitus patients with hearing loss and healthy control group. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was performed to obtain the low-frequency fluctuation amplitude (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo) and functional connectivity (FC). In this study, compared with healthy controls, chronic tinnitus patients with hearing loss showed aberrant brain activity increased in the temporal lobe, frontal lobe, hippocampus, precuneus, amygdala and cingulate cortex. It provided additional evidence to understand the neuropathophysiological mechanism of chronic tinnitus with hearing loss.
QSM and edited MRS reveal altered deep-brain gray matter microstructure and neurometabolism in patients with hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Zöllner Helge , Thiel Thomas , Jördens Markus , Häussinger Dieter , Oeltzschner Georg , Butz Markus , Wittsack Hans-Jörg , Schnitzler Alfons , Bechler Eric
Published: August 2024

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common neurological manifestation of liver cirrhosis characterized by altered brain microstructure and metabolism. Here, Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) was performed in a well-characterized cohort of HE patients and correlated with metabolite estimates derived from GABA-edited MR spectroscopy. Deep-brain gray matter micro-susceptibility was significantly altered in the bilateral pallidum and dentate nuclei in HE patients. These results were closely linked to metabolite estimates and clinical metrics.
Estimating population motor fields (pMF) from saccadic eye movements at high field (7T)
Authors: Fracasso Alessio , Moravkova Katarina , Fabius Jasper , Timmermann Rosanne , Gaglianese Anna
Published: August 2024

Here we implemented a variation of the population receptive field model (pRF, Dumoulin et al., 2008; Fracasso et al., 2016), to model blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal and obtain estimates of saccade tuning direction and width from human PPC, to obtain estimates of the population motor fields (pMF). Saccade tuning width shows a novel organizational property of human posterior parietal cortex, unveiling a gradient from posterior to anterior PPC, with tuning width steadily increasing along the posterior-anterior axis.
Cortical laminar specific microstructure and magnetic susceptibility in ex-vivo human brain
Authors: Zhao Zhiyong , Cao Zuozhen , Zhu Qinfeng , Zhu Liangying , Li Sihui , Zhu Keqing , Zhang Jing , Wu Dan
Published: August 2024

Although recent high-resolution functional MRI studies have revealed laminar-specific cortical activity in the human brain, the underlying structural underpinning remains unclear. The present study collected submillimeter-resolution MR images from 10 ex-vivo human hemispheres. We computed the microstructural metrics and magnetic susceptibility for each sample at different cortical depths. We found that the cortical microstructure and magnetic susceptibility showed a depth-dependent pattern, which varied in different cortical regions. The cortical profiles were then correlated with cell density and myelin content obtained from histological staining. These findings may help to understand the structural basis of laminar brain function.
White Matter Structural Connectivity is Associated with Spectral Coherence and Phase Synchronization Measured by Intracranial EEG
Authors: Cai Bingyang , Jiang Shize , Huang Hui , Li Jiwei , Yuan Siyu , Cui Ya , Tang Lihong , Chen Liang , Luo Jie
Published: August 2024

Using high quality atlas of the structural connectome, and direct recording of neuronal activity by stereotactic-EEG (SEEG), this study investigated the relationship between neuronal signal connectivity at different seizure stage and the white matter scaffold. The results show electrical signal spectral coherence and phase synchronization are significantly stronger between structurally connected nodes within short distance, while at the time of pre-seizure and seizure onset, high frequency (>80Hz) signal may propagate through longer distance with structural connections.
Mapping of Time-Dependent Myelin Changes in Multiple Sclerosis Lesions through Quantitative Separation of Magnetic Susceptibility Sources
Authors: Dimov Alexey , Nguyen Thanh , Zhang Shun , Wang Yi , Gauthier Susan
Published: August 2024

De- and remyelination are important treatment targets for multiple sclerosis therapies. In this study, we utilize susceptibility source separation to study differences in longitudinal trajectories of two important lesion types, paramagnetic rim lesions (rim+) and non-rim (rim-) lesions. We report significant difference in myelin content: while rim- lesions tend to demonstrate slow remyelination, rim+ tend to remain stable or demyelinate over time.
Influence of different confounders on measurements results of 2D Flow MRI Examinations in Healthy Travelling Volunteers
Authors: Trauzeddel Ralf Felix , Grandy Thomas , Daud Elias , Müller Maximilian , Viezzer Darian , Hadler Thomas , Jin Ning , Giese Daniel , Schulz-Menger Jeanette
Published: August 2024

Various confounders can have an influence on the results of cardiovascular MRI (CMR) examinations. Data about systematic investigations of such confounders are sparse. 2D Flow CMR using segmented and realtime measurements was performed in 20 healthy travelling volunteers to examine the influence of beat-to-beat variability between different heart cycles, sequence types, field strengths and scanner configurations as well as examiners on forward flow volume and peak velocity and compared to 95% tolerance intervals established by intraobserver analysis to test for comparability and precision of measurements which revealed good to very good comparability regarding various physiological, technical and post- processing confounders.
Independent Component Analysis for Noise Removal in MR Fingerprinting
Authors: Thomson Emma , Wheeler-Kingshott Claudia Gandini , Parker Geoff
Published: August 2024

We propose the use of independent component analysis for the removal of coherent noise sources prior to matching for magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF). We tested this technique for the removal of reconstruction artefacts on images acquired with a spiral k-space acquisition to quantify intravascular T1, extravascular T1, B1+, cerebral blood volume (νb) and inter-vascular water exchange (1/τb). We demonstrate that removal of coherent noise sources in this way can improve the precision of measurements of parameters.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Spectral Registration with Unsupervised Deep Learning
Authors: Ma David , Yang Yanting , Harguindeguy Natalia , Tian Ye , Small Scott , Liu Feng , Rothman Douglas , Guo Jia
Published: August 2024

A deep learning-based registration method has been a successful image processing tool adopted in medical image registration but there is a lack of learning-based registration tools for spectral registration protocols. A novel CNN-based unsupervised deep learning spectral registration model was developed and trained on a simulation dataset. The model was then further evaluated on a simulated test set with more extreme conditions and on an in vivo dataset and was compared performances to published frequency-and-phase correction models. An unsupervised deep learning-based spectral registration approach was found to demonstrate state-of-the-art performance in frequency-and-phase correction.
Glutamate Predicts Post-Concussion Symptoms in Collegiate Athletes
Authors: Lemaire Annelise , Liao Hui Jun , Koerte Inga , Howell David , Lin Alexander , Breedlove Katherine
Published: August 2024

A population of collegiate athletes, along with matched age and gender-matched student-athlete controls, were evaluated post-concussion, for neurometabolic levels in the PCG by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) following injury. Evaluations were conducted 72 hours post-diagnosis. For the purpose of this work, correlations between total Glutamate (Glu+Gln), total Glutamate to total Creatine ratios, and symptoms on the PCS scale associated with cognitive fatigue - such as mental fog, drowsiness, fatigue, and feeling slowed - were explored.
Performance of Multipool Lorentzian fitting for CEST-MRI using joint spatial regularization
Authors: Huemer Markus , Maier Oliver , Fabian Moritz , Schmidt Manuel , Dörfler Arnd , Bredies Kristian , Zaiss Moritz , Stollberger Rudolf
Published: August 2024

This work investigates an improved quantification algorithm for CEST spectra using a joint Frobenius TGV regularization. The performance is assessed with simulations, phantom and in-vivo measurement with respect to systematic errors and robustness. For comparison, a pixel-wise fit using the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm and the IDEAL algorithm were implemented. The $$$TGV_j$$$ algorithm shows the best performance in the main parameter fitting stability and parameter SNR.
Improved Bloch fitting and machine learning methods that analyze acidoCEST MRI
Authors: Li Tianzhe , Cardenas-Rodriguez Julio , Pagel Marty
Published: August 2024

AcidoCEST MRI can measure the extracellular pH of the tumor microenvironment. We have further refined our “Bloch fitting” method, and shown that this analysis method can accurately and precisely measure pH without additional MRI information, with an accuracy of 0.03 pH units. In addition, we have developed a machine learning method that can classify pH as > 7.0 or < 6.5 pH units (PPV=0.94, NPV=096), and a machine learning regression method that can estimate pH with a mean absolute error of 0.031 pH units.
Demonstration of multi-pool quantitative CEST MRI with quasi-steady-state reconstruction – Insight into T1-independent CEST quantification
Authors: Gao Lauren , Sun Phillip
Published: August 2024

CEST quantification is challenging because the measurement depends on the scan protocols. Also, T1 normalization is not straightforward under non-equilibrium conditions. Using multi-pool simulations and phantom experiments, our study evaluated quasi-steady-state(QUASS) algorithm-boosted CEST quantification. The 3-pool CEST simulation showed significant T1 dependencies due to complex interactions among Ts, TR, and T1. Such dependencies were corrected with QUASS reconstruction. In addition, a multi-T1 phantom was used to evaluate the quantification. Whereas the apparent CEST MRI showed significant dependence on Ts, TR, and T1, accurate CEST quantification was demonstrated with the spinlock-model-based fitting of QUASS CEST MRI.
Downfield Proton MRSI with whole-brain coverage at 3T
Authors: Özdemir İpek , Ganji Sandeep , Gillen Joseph , Považan Michal , Barker Peter
Published: August 2024

A 3D downfield-MRSI sequence with whole brain coverage, 22-minute scan time, and 0.7 cm3 nominal spatial resolution has been developed at 3T. The sequence was tested in 5 normal volunteers; LCModel analysis showed CRLB average values of 3-4% for protein amide resonances in 3 selected gray and white matter regions.
Revealing hidden phosphomonoester signals under phosphoethanolamine and phosphocholine resonances: A brain 31P MRS study at 7T
Authors: Ren Jimin
Published: August 2024

It has been a common practice to quantify brain phosphomonoester (PME) 31P signals using a two-component model composed of phosphoethanolamine (PE) and phosphocholine (PC). This study demonstrates spectral evidence of the presence of a hidden broad PME (h-PME) signal underneath PE and PC resonances, characterized by a short T1 and potentially contributed by RBC 2,3-DPG in brain blood vessels, though other sources of signal contribution cannot be fully ruled out. The results have implication in using PE and PC as biomarkers of altered phospholipid metabolism in brain pathologies.
Analysis of short-TE STEAM data at 7T: Effects of a macromolecular basis set and baseline parameters on GABA, glutamate and their ratio.
Authors: Okada Tomohisa , Kuribayashi Hideto , Urushibata Yuta , Akasaka Thai , Seethamraju Ravi , Ahn Sinyeob , Isa Tadashi
Published: August 2024

The effect of baseline flexibility LCModel parameter DKNTMN (0.15, 0.3, 0.6 and 1) on a 7T short-TE STEAM MRS measurement of GABA, glutamate and excitatory-inhibitory ratio (EIR) was investigated using both simulated and measured macromolecular basis sets. Mean (SD) of GABA/tCr was highest, 0.23 (0.02), using simulated MM basis. Using measured MM basis, the ratios decreased from 0.18 (0.04) to 0.12 (0.03) by the increase of DKNTMN values. The GABA/tCr ratio and EIR of a former multi-center study was 0.19 and 8.2 after T2 decay correction. Analysis using DKNTMN of 0.3 conformed best and considered to be the choice.
Grading and assessment of intra-tumor heterogeneity of gliomas using 3D CEST imaging with compressed sensing and sensitivity encoding
Authors: Wada Tatsuhiro , Togao Osamu , Tokunaga Chiaki , Kikuchi Kazufumi , Yamashita Koji , Yoneyama Masami , Oga Masahiro , Kobayashi Koji , Kato Toyoyuki , Ishigami Kousei , Yabuuchi Hidetake
Published: August 2024

Glioma grading using chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging is often performed in a single cross-section. However, CEST imaging of multiple cross-sections is desirable for intra-tumor heterogeneity. Compressed sensing and sensitivity encoding (CS-SENSE) was applied to CEST imaging to obtain multi-slice CEST imaging in a clinically appropriate scan time. The diagnostic performance of three-dimensional (3D) CEST imaging was comparable to that of a two-dimensional CEST imaging. The evaluation of the entire tumors by multi-slice CEST imaging was important in the gliomas' grading because the signal intensities differed among the tumor slices.
Theoretical justification for fluid-suppressed APTw imaging based on spillover correction principles
Authors: Sedykh Maria , Casagranda Stefano , Liebig Patrick , Papageorgakis Christos , Mancini Laura , Bisdas Sotirios , Schmidt Manuel , Doerfler Arnd , Zaiss Moritz
Published: August 2024

Fluid suppression has an inestimable value in improving the readability of Amide Proton Transfer weighted imaging in the neuro-oncological field, by removing contamination effects in the fluid compartments. With this work we wanted to justify the derivation of this metric and to show different clinical examples. Our new fluid-suppressed APTw metric for 3T MR imaging, based on the principles of Spillover Correction for CEST imaging, can be then derived through the Bloch McConnell Equations.
Amide proton transfer weighted (APTw) imaging-based radiomics in the molecular subtypes prediction and grading of adult-type diffuse gliomas
Authors: Wu Minghao , Jiang Tongling , Xie Cong , Zhang Xianchang , Zhang Yi , Liu Yaou
Published: August 2024

The fifth edition of the 2021 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (WHO CNS5) has introduced significant changes in classifying glioma subtypes based on molecular profiles. This study investigated the feasibility of amide proton transfer weighted (APTw)-based radiomics for predicting molecular subtypes and WHO grade of adult-type diffuse gliomas. APTw-based radiomics achieved satisfactory performance in distinguishing three molecular subtypes and WHO grade (High (Ⅳ grade)/Low (Ⅱ-Ⅲ grade)). This application may be an effective and promising quantitative approach for better noninvasive characterization and classification of gliomas.
Performance benchmark metrics and clinicopathologic outcomes of MRI-guided breast biopsies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ozcan Berat Bersu , Yan Justin , Xi Yin , Baydoun Serine , Scoggins Marion , Dogan Basak
Published: August 2024

MRI-guided breast biopsy (MRBB) methods and clinicopathological outcomes may vary between institutions. To identify benchmark metrics to help define a successful MRBB program, we identified and systematically reviewed articles on MRBB outcomes through 04.01.2021. Random intercept logistic regression model was used to pool the data. We found that MRBB is an efficient, highly accurate technique with high technical success (99.05%, 95%CI:97.75%-99.60%), low false-negative (0.65%, 95%CI:0.29%-1.44%), and complication (2.45%, 95%CI:2.13%-2.81%) rates. Our findings can assist the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines on follow-up recommendations in benign-concordant lesions and a transparent discussion with patients on the consequences of having an MRBB.
Rapid Neurological QSM measurement based on EPI sequence
Authors: Peng XueHua , Ma LiFei , Zhang Rui , Wu XiaoMeng
Published: August 2024

Quantitative susceptibility mapping(QSM) can be used for quantitatively measurement of neuro system magnetic susceptibility information caused by various diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and neuro vascular diseases. In this study, a rapid QSM acquisition based on EPI sequence was proposed to improve clinical feasibility of QSM. The results demonstrated the rapid QSM were very close to those obtained by standard QSM.
Dedicated head-only high-performance gradients in a 3T scanner improve image quality compared to a whole-body gradient design
Authors: DeMarco J. Kevin , Morris H. Douglas , Shih Robert Y. , Bess Daniel W. , Marinelli Luca , Ho Vincent B. , Foo Thomas K. F.
Published: August 2024

Ultra-high-performance MAGNUS gradient coils optimized for advanced diffusion imaging were used to obtain routine anatomical brain imaging in a cohort of 31 consecutive subjects enrolled in a mild TBI study. In a blinded review, three neuroradiologists reviewed 3D MPRAGE and 3D T2 FLAIR obtained with MAGNUS and a whole-body 3T scanner (WB3T). Substantial agreement of better overall image quality for MAGNUS vs. WB3T was seen for T2 FLAIR, and mild agreement of better overall image quality for MPRAGE. MAGNUS supports rapid gradient switching and higher gradient strength for additional SNR with 3D T2 FLAIR.
Inter-scanner consistency of T1 map and proton spin density map derived from strategically acquired gradient echo (STAGE) imaging
Authors: Fushimi Yasutaka , Nakajima Satoshi , Okuchi Sachi , Sakata Akihiko , Hinoda Takuya , Otani Sayo , Sakurama Azusa , Wicaksono Krishna , Tagawa Hiroshi , Wang Yang , Ikeda Satoshi , Ito Shuichi , Takiya Miyuki , Nakamoto Yuji
Published: August 2024

Recently, strategically acquired gradient echo (STAGE) imaging has been developed as a potential standardized brain imaging protocol. STAGE is designed to use two 3D fully ﬂow compensated multi-echo SWI sequences with 2 different flip angles (FAs). We evaluated the inter-scanner consistency of T1 values and proton spin density (PSD) values derived from STAGE imaging for elderly healthy volunteers. We conducted VOI analysis both in Native space and “Mutual space” using AAL3 VOIs. Parcellation was automatically performed with few manipulations, and good ICC and minimal biases were demonstrated between the two scanners.
Rapid Frequency Offset Mapping with the Half-Fourier Acquisition Single-Shot Turbo Spin-Echo with the Selective Parity Approach
Authors: Arbabi Aidin , De Alba Alvarez Irina , Khlebnikov Vitaliy , Marques Jose P. , Norris David. G.
Published: August 2024

Frequency Offset maps are widely used to correct image distortion or estimate signal loss in gradient echo signal due to field inhomogeneities. Routinely, multiecho gradient echo sequences are used to collect this information. In this work, we introduce an innovative method which enables frequency offset mapping via one single-shot acquisition. The proposed method offers a significant reduction in the acquisition time without loss of accuracy.
Towards accurate and repeatable 1mm isotropic whole-brain MRF quantification using a 1-minute scan with optimized processing pipeline
Authors: Chen Quan , Cao Xiaozhi , Liao Congyu , Iyer Siddharth , Schauman Sophie , Wang Nan , Setsompop Kawin
Published: August 2024

A rotation-fitting based PV reduction pipeline with B0, B1+ and frequency-based flip angle (FA) scaling corrections are proposed to improve the accuracy and repeatability of magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) in the existence of motion. 5 repeated scans from both stable baseline and big motion positions were acquired and analyzed to compare the repeatability of MRF under different rotation-fitting schemes and B0, B1+ corrections. Rotation before the fitting can substantially reduce the PV effects. The B0/ B1+ and frequency-based FA scaling corrections improve the estimation accuracy. The 2min and 1min 1mm3 whole brain MRF quantitative results also indicate a high repeatability.
Data Augmentation with Simulated Images for Generalizable Brain MRI Super-Resolution
Authors: Amirrajab Sina , Boonstoppel Rien , Ayaz Aymen , Breeuwer Marcel
Published: August 2024

In many medical applications, high resolution images are required to facilitate early and accurate diagnosis. In this paper, we investigate the potential of data augmentation using simulated brain magnetic resonance (MR) images for training a deep-learning (DL) super resolution model that can generalize to brain data from different publicly available sources. Our qualitative visual evaluation results suggest that data augmentation with simulated images can improve the robustness and generalization of the model and decrease the artifacts of the super-resolved images.
Comparing left vs right handed normal subjects using high spatial-resolution resting-state fMRI at 7T
Authors: Jones Stephen , Nemani Ajay , Huang Xuemei , Lowe Mark
Published: August 2024

We present data from a series of resting-state data obtained at 7T using 1 mm isotropic resolution in separate concatenated groups of right handed (RH) and left handed (LH) normal control subjects. Whole brain connectivity maps are obtained from a large number of different seed parcels, many derived from FreeSurfer. We demonstrate the ability of this unique data to recapitulate known connectivity maps at the large scale and discern new findings at small scales.
Acute Effects of Psilocybin and Salvinorin-A on Functional Connectivity
Authors: Bagdasarian Frederick , Hansen Hanne , Yoo Chi-Hyeon , Placzek Michael , Hooker Jacob , Wey Hsiao-Ying
Published: August 2024

This work utilized fMRI to assess the influence of the psychedelics, Psilocybin, a serotonergic agonist, and Salvinorin-A, a kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) agonist, on functional connectivity (FC) in non-human primates. We used a seed-based FC analysis, probing regions of interest associated with psychedelic hallucinogens. Our findings highlight the overlapping and differing influence of these substances on FC relative to the subcomponents of the default mode network and the claustrum. This work may provide insight on the mechanisms of action of psychedelics that target differing receptor systems. Key Words: Functional connectivity; Claustrum; DMN; Psychedelics.
Abnormal neural activity in male chronic smokers revealed by resting-state functional MRI
Authors: Niu Xiaoyu , Gao Xinyu , Zhang Mengzhe , Zhang Yong
Published: August 2024

We combined two methods of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to explore the abnormal neural activity in male chronic smokers. The amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) was first calculated and brain regions with significant differences in ALFF between two groups were used as seeds for further resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) analysis. Our findings revealed increased spontaneous regional activity in the superior frontal gyrus (SFG) with reduced functional connectivity to visual attention areas and cerebellar subregions in smokers compared with controls, which may play an important role in the pathophysiology of smoking.
Effects of Abnormal Brain Network Connectivity after Sleep Deprivation Based on Intra-Individual Variance
Authors: Xu Ziliang , Zheng Minwen , Zhu Yuanqiang
Published: August 2024

Sleep deprivation (SD) can cause task performance and negative correlation strength between default mode (DM) and task related network decreasing, but the detailed mechanism is still unclear. Intra-individual variance (IIV) is thought to associated with the negative correlation strength between DM and task active network. Thus, in this study, IIV was used to evaluate the relationship between the changing of this negative correlation strength and the task performance after SD. Results showed that SD may increase the healthy subjects’ IIV through reducing the competition relationship between DM and task active network, which resulted in the temporal impairments of cognitive function.
Functional relevance of cholinergic projections in the ChAT-IRES-Cre mouse brain using optogenetic functional MRI
Authors: Sajitha Thajunnisa Ashraf , Chan Russell , Filipiak Patryk , Faiq Muneeb , Lee Royce , Baete Steven , Chan Kevin
Published: August 2024

Recent studies have mapped the whole-brain cholinergic projections in the mouse brain. However, their functional relevance remains unclear. In this study, we used optogenetic functional MRI to observe the functional brain responses upon stimulating the cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain. We observed significant BOLD percentage change in 14 out of 19 brain regions evaluated, indicating their functional relevance to the cholinergic system.
Age-dependent co-variation networks in myelin-related images
Authors: Chen Nan-Hao , Chen Li-Ping , Hsu Chia-Wei , Yang Chin-Hua , Peng Hsu-Hsia
Published: August 2024

Myelin co-variation networks was used to investigate the myelinic alteration in brain degradation. However, a systematic investigation of age-related co-variation networks of multiple myelin-related images remains deficient. We aimed to investigate the age-related effect on myelin co-variation networks in gray matter and white matter. Our results revealed that different myelin-related indices presented different age-dependent evolution of co-variation networks. The age-dependencies of strength of co-variation and topological attributes were mostly in complex polynomial pattern. The investigation of multiple age-related myelin co-variation networks might comprehend the synchronous changes between brain regions and demonstrated its usefulness in predicting the alteration of myelinic tissue.
Action execution and observation network: the structural connectome supporting variable force perception
Authors: Palesi Fulvia , Casiraghi Letizia , Savini Giovanni , Paternò Sonia , D'Angelo Egidio , Wheeler-Kingshott Claudia Gandini
Published: August 2024

Inter-individual interaction is at the basis of social life making it crucial to characterize the functional networks subtending action execution (AE) and action observation (AO). We investigated the integrative properties of previously defined AE and AO functional networks in relation to force perception in terms of their underlying structural brain connectivity. We found that both networks show a strong connectivity between areas involved in sensory/force perception and in motor planning. The cerebellum was engaged both in executing the force-related task and in simulating motor responses, supporting the existence of specific brain networks involving the cerebellum in mirroring and mentalizing mechanisms.
White matter fiber characteristics in Alzheimer's disease using fixel-based analysis
Authors: Li Meng , Liu Shanwen , Zhi Yuqi , Liu Rong , Jiang Zhen , Liang Xiaoyun , Hu Hua , Wu Yunzhu , Song Yang , Zhu Jiangtao
Published: August 2024

We collected diffusion-weighted images of all subjects and divided them into four groups: HC, MCI, mild AD and moderate AD. The differences of FD, FC and FDC were analyzed by FBA method. The results showed that the three metrics in AD group were significantly lower than those in HC Group, but there was no significant difference in MCI Group. This study indicates that there is a microstructural or macrostructural degeneration in the white matter of AD patients.
Processing Pipeline and Analytic Framework for Diffusion and Morphometric Analyses of Alzheimer’s Disease Repository Data
Authors: Schatz Samantha , Comrie Courtney , Dieckhaus Laurel , Hutchinson Elizabeth
Published: August 2024

Alzheimer's disease is generally accompanied by brain atrophy, which can be evident on MRI based evaluation at late stages, but there is a need for earlier stage MRI markers that may predict progressive cognitive impairment. Using the NACC Uniform Data Set, a robust pipeline was developed for registering DTI maps to a Human Connectome Project template space and an analysis framework for ROI based, voxel-wise, and morphometric analysis was applied. Prominent results include increased trace in the hippocampus and an increase in ventricle volume in the group with severe cognitive impairment.
Anomalous Neurovascular Coupling in cerebral small vessel disease patients related to cognitive impairment
Authors: Hu Ying , Sun Yawen , Zhang Yiming , Zhou Yan
Published: August 2024

NVC is thought to reflect the interrelationship between nutrient demand and supply, whereby neuronal activity influences local changes in blood flow. Injuries to the NVU could be the crucial point to CSVD, but the mechanisms remain obscure. This is the first study investigating CSVD from the perspective of the NVC at the whole brain, modular and regional levels.
Hippocampal metabolites in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Chen Xin , Gong Tao , Chen Weibo
Published: August 2024

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is a precursor to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The neurometabolic changes especially the neurotransmitters in the hippocampus contributed the course of AD. In-vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can be used to measure brain metabolites noninvasively. In this study, we aim to explore the changes of hippocampal metabolic changes in aMCI patients using PRESS and MEGA-PRESS. aMCI patients exhibited decreased hippocampal Glx levels from MEGA-PRESS, having low concordance with PRESS.
Brain MRI lesion heterogeneity and chronic active lesion density identify relapsing-remitting MS 5 years before onset of progressive disease
Authors: Zhang Yunyan , Hosseinpour Zahra , Oladosu Olayinka , Beaumont Julia , Hao Chloe , Camara-Lemarroy Carlos
Published: August 2024

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a severe and heterogeneous disease. While disease worsening is common, the pattern of worsening varies between subjects. Mechanisms are unclear. This study assessed lesion heterogeneity and chronic active lesion activity in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) 5 years before conversion to secondary progressive MS (SPMS) as compared to stable disease. Based on brain MRI texture analysis and z-score of core versus rim diffusion in lesions, SPMS-converting patients have greater lesion damage and chronic active lesion density than stable patients 5 years prior. Combined approaches may help identify RRMS patients at high risk of worsening for early management.
¹H fMRS detects changes in dorsal anterior cingulate cortex glutamate driven by inhibitory control
Authors: Eichstaedt Jillian , Khatib Dalal , Easter Phil , Rosenberg David , Diwadkar Vaibhav , Stanley Jeffrey
Published: August 2024

¹H fMRS was used to quantify changes in dACC glutamate evoked during excitatory and inhibitory motor control. The two response modes demanded non-selective responding (motor control with excitation) or selective responding (motor control with inhibition). dACC glutamate was significantly increased (relative to a resting baseline), regardless of response mode. These functional responses (uncoupled from hemodynamics) demonstrate that ¹H fMRS can be successfully used to reveal glutamate related mechanisms of the dACC reflecting changes in the excitatory neurotransmission drive.
Brain morphological alterations in patients with lung cancer after chemotherapy
Authors: Renyuan Liu , Ping Rong , Xiaowei Han , Bing Zhang
Published: August 2024

The pathophysiological and biochemical effects of lung cancer and chemotherapy would result in abnormal alterations of brain morphometry. In particular, chemotherapy could endanger critical cognition-related subcortical nucleus, such as amygdala.
Transcriptional signatures underpinnings of altered large-scale functional connectome hierarchy in patients with IBS
Authors: Wang Jun , Liu Guangyao , Zhang Pengfei , Huang Wenjing , Ai Kai , Zhang Jing
Published: August 2024

Functional connectivity is altered in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but its histological basis is unknown. We used resting-state fMRI imaging combined with transcriptomics to examine changes in functional connectivity gradients in IBS patients and their corresponding gene regulatory basis. The reduced connectivity gradients and contractions in IBS patients compared to healthy controls were mainly involved in primary sensory and cross-modal structural domains and were associated with aberrant expression of genes related to neurological development. These results reveal gradient dysfunction of large-scale functional connectomes in IBS and elucidate the role of abnormal gene-function connectivity in the disease.
Detecting whole mouse brain beta-amyloid plaques in 5xFAD mice using high-resolution quantitative susceptibility mapping
Authors: Wang Nian , Zhou Chengqian , Maharjan Surendra , Wallace Abigail
Published: August 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-associated neurodegenerative disease that is reaching epidemic proportions as a result of the aging of the world’s population. It is likely that the most effective treatment for AD will need to be administrated before cognitive symptoms occur, necessitating a biomarker for the early stages of AD. Novel high-resolution MRI technologies with the capability to characterize the individual beta-amyloid plaque through the whole brain is highly desirable.
QSM and R2* relaxometry analysis for mapping of white matter hyptension and cognition in patients with lacunar Infarction
Authors: LI HONGWEI , YU XUCHEN , HE MIN , CHEN WEIBO , Ding Jing , Wang He
Published: August 2024

Due to the lacunar infarcts are small, they are asymptomatic in most cases. However, the location and accumulation of multiple lacunar infarcts might lead to severe physical and cognitive impairment. This lesion, caused by the involvement of cerebral small vessel in the brain, is thought to be associated with an increased risk of Vessel dementia (VaD). Therefore, exploring the perfusion alterations in patients with early lacunar infarction might help with interventions and preventive measures, thereby reducing the social and healthcare burden.
DeepDECOMPOSE: A Deep Learning based framework for solving DECOMPOSE QSM
Authors: Chen Jingjia , De Goyeneche Alfredo , Liu Chunlei
Published: August 2024

We propose a deep learning (DL) approach to accelerate and improve the accuracy of the parameter fitting problem of DECOMPOSE-QSM. The approach allows a triple complex exponential model to be fitted in <1s on CPUs and <20ms on a GPU for a 256x256 image, vs. 5+ min for the original solver. The DL solver can be implemented with either fixed echo times or adaptive to a range of echo times and number of echoes. Trained with various additive noise levels, the DL-solver performs more robustly compared to the conventional optimization-based solver when the signal has a very low SNR.
Brain iron status in children and adolescents with beta-thalassemia.
Authors: Kirdyashkin Daniil , Lopatina Vera , Bulanov Petr , Kriventsova Natalia , Tereshchenko Galina , Menshchikov Petr
Published: August 2024

Background TDT patients are susceptible to secondary iron overload. Determining brain iron content may be crucial to prevent brain iron poisoning. TDT Patient and control groups consisted of 23 and 50 children and adolescents respectively. 3D, T1-weighted and susceptibility-weighted images were obtained and QSM maps were reconstructed. Magnetic susceptibility values in brain structures were adjusted for age-related iron accumulation. Statistical analysis, carried out with and without correction for age, did not reveal significant differences in brain iron content between the two groups. Brain iron overload does not occur in TDT patients, whether it be children or adults.
Comparison of myelin water fraction mapping on ex vivo human brain at 3T and 7T
Authors: Xu Guojun , Zhao Zhiyong , Zhu Qinfeng , Cao Zuozhen , Zhu Keqing , Zhang Jing , Wu Dan
Published: August 2024

Multi-echo gradient-echo (mGRE) is an important method to quantify myelin water fraction (MWF) of the human brain, but the results may depend on field strength given the difference in T2*. This study performed mGRE-based MWF on ex vivo human brain at high resolution at both 3T and 7T. We found MWF-derived from 7T showed higher measurements with lager standard deviations compared to those 3T, and the 3T and 7T results showed moderate agreement. These findings indicated the MWF mapping result was field-strength dependent and further validations were needed to support their reliability.
Improved Brain Lesion Detection by Integrating Subspace-based Deep Learning of Normal Intensity Distributions and Bayesian Hypothesis Testing
Authors: Zhuang Huixiang , Guan Yue , Ding Yi , Ma Yuhao , Zhang Yunpeng , Meng Ziyu , Liu Ruihao , Liang Zhi-Pei , Li Yao
Published: August 2024

Unsupervised segmentation of brain lesions is desirable in many applications and has been investigated extensively. In this work, we proposed a new method for brain lesion segmentation, which effectively learns the spatial-intensity distribution of normal brain tissues and then treats lesion segmentation as an anomaly detection problem. We overcame the high-dimensional distribution learning problem using a subspace-assisted generative network. With the learned distribution, the anomaly detection problem was solved using Bayesian hypothesis testing. Our method has been validated using simulated and real brain MR images with stroke and tumor lesions, and produced significantly improved results than several state-of-the-art methods.
Imaging The Thalamic Reticular Nucleus at 7T
Authors: shaw ross , Gowland Penny , Bowtell Richard
Published: August 2024

The Thalamic Reticular Nucleus is a micro-structure surrounding the dorsal edge of the thalamus that is of fundamental significance to understanding many neurological disorders in the brain. Here we present methods to visualise the TRN using various imaging modalities to explore different sources of contrast at the edge of the thalamus.
Globally optimal region thresholding based on bimodal Gaussian distribution with physiological constraints : head MR example.
Authors: Mikheev Artem , Rusinek Henry
Published: August 2024

In medical image processing thresholding of the image region is one of the most basic operations and preprocessing. While there are well-proven histogram-based partitioning methods including Otsu and Gaussian Mixture Model ) it is challenging to combine those methods with physiological constraints such as tissue volume ratio or average signal ratio to avoid anatomically invalid segmentation. We propose a new method GOTC when the distribution of the signal over the ROI is described as a bimodal Gaussian of two tissues. We describe the algorithm and validate it on brain MRI segmentation into the White Matter and Gray Matter.
Impact of gradient spoiling for diffusion-weighted Double-Echo Steady-State sequences
Authors: Katscher Ulrich , Meineke Jakob , Keupp Jochen
Published: August 2024

Double-Echo Steady-State (DESS) sequences are a promising candidate for diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) free of geometric distortions. While diffusion weighted DESS (dwDESS) sequences were originally introduced with a unipolar diffusion weighting gradient GD, a bipolar GD is required to obtain a motion robust fully balanced sequence. The inevitable banding artefacts occurring for bipolar GD can be handled via different techniques like gradient spoiling (thus deviating from the fully balanced sequence) or phase cycling. This study compares these techniques to optimize SNR for a given scan time and given diffusion weighting.