Quantitative ¹H magnetization transfer imaging <i>in vivo</i>

TLDR

Magnetization transfer between free water protons and macromolecule-associated protons is a major contributor to proton spin‑lattice relaxation in biological tissues. The study aims to determine magnetization transfer rates in biological tissues by analyzing time and power dependencies of saturation transfer. The authors analyzed time and power dependencies of saturation transfer and then acquired quantitative magnetization transfer rate constant image maps of the kidney in vivo. Saturation transfer effectively probes magnetization transfer, and the resulting rate constant images can aid quantitative tissue characterization and elucidate tissue‑specific proton relaxation mechanisms. © 1991 Academic Press, Inc.

Abstract

Abstract A major factor contributing to proton ( 1 H) spin‐lattice relaxation in biological tissues is believed to be magnetization transfer between 'H in free bulk water and 1 H in restricted motion associated with macromolecules. We have shown recently that saturation transfer is an effective approach for studying this magnetization transfer process. Herein the determination of magnetization transfer rates in biological tissues is further analyzed by considering the time and power dependencies of saturation transfer. Following these analyses, quantitative magnetization transfer rate constant image maps were collected from the kidney in vivo. These rate constant images may prove useful in quantitative tissue characterization and in the determination of tissue‐specific 1 H relaxation mechanisms. © 1991 Academic Press, Inc.