Patent ID: 8742755

Claim:
A computer readable medium having processor-executable instructions stored thereon, the processor-executable instructions, when executed by at least one processor, performing a method of performing chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging on a region of an object, the method comprising: providing at least one inversion sequence to the region to flip at least some spins in the region by a desired flip-angle; providing at least one first pulse sequence at a first frequency offset from a peak resonant frequency of water by a first amount in a first direction to magnetize at least one exchange group in the region; providing at least one second pulse sequence at a second frequency offset from the peak resonant frequency of water by the first amount in a second direction opposite the first direction; detecting a first signal emitted from the region as a result of providing the at least one first pulse sequence after a predetermined time interval after applying the at least one inversion sequence; and detecting a second signal emitted from the region as a result of providing the at least one second pulse sequence at the predetermined time interval after applying the at least one inversion sequence, wherein the predetermined time interval is selected such that positive contrast is achieved with respect to the first signal relative to the second signal.