Abstract: A method for subject-specific assessment of neurological disorders, the method includes receiving 3D image data representative of a subject's brain and identifying subject-specific anatomical structures in the 3D image data. A subject-specific model for electrical dynamics is created based on the 3D image data and the subject-specific anatomical structures and one or more functional indicators of neurological disorder are computed using the subject-specific model for electrical dynamics.

Abstract: A method for subject-specific assessment of neurological disorders, the method includes receiving 3D image data representative of a subject's brain and identifying subject-specific anatomical structures in the 3D image data. A subject-specific model for electrical dynamics is created based on the 3D image data and the subject-specific anatomical structures and one or more functional indicators of neurological disorder are computed using the subject-specific model for electrical dynamics.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a report regarding a vascular health status of a subject being imaged using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes receiving a plurality of MRI datasets, each MRI dataset acquired from the a portion of the subject including a vascular structure. The process also includes analyzing the MRI datasets to identify at least one of a temporal shift and a MR signal variation between the MRI datasets, correlating the at least one of the temporal shift and the MR signal variation to a vascular health status, and generating a report indicating the vascular health status of the subject.

Abstract: A method for producing magnetic resonance images of a subject in which artifacts resulting from a localized source, such as from pulsatile blood flow, are substantially mitigated is provided. The location of an artifact source, at which spins corresponding to flowing blood are located, is identified. Using this identified artifact source location, a region-of-saturation is calculated. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is then directed to perform a pulse sequence that results in the generation of a radio frequency (RF) saturation field being produced by an array of RF transmission coils. The RF saturation field is sized and shaped according to the calculated region-of-saturation. Images are reconstructed from image data acquired after application of the RF saturation field, and artifacts related to motion of the spins at the identified location of the artifact source are substantially mitigated in these images.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately producing MR images of selected vascular compartments includes employing a control scan and a tag scan, each including velocity selective modules that suppress signal from blood flowing faster than a given cutoff velocity, to acquire control and tag sets of NMR data that may be subtracted to produce a compartment-specific MR image that is substantially free of information from stationary tissues and blood outside the selective vascular compartments. Accordingly, physiological parameters, such as oxygen saturation (SaO2), oxygen extraction fraction (OEF), and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2), can be generated from the compartment-specific images. Further still, kinetic curves of oxygen exchange can be created, thus providing detailed insight into oxygen exchange dynamics.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for quantitatively determining a score for a patient having a disorder, e.g. a stroke, in a tissue, such as the brain, by analyzing both the extent and location of damage to the tissue caused by the disorder.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for quantitatively determining a score for a patient having a disorder, e.g., a stroke, in a tissue, such as the brain, by analyzing both the extent and location of damage to the tissue caused by the disorder.

Abstract: Methods for low-power in vivo localized multi-dimensional correlated magnetic resonance spectroscopy (“MRS”) are provided. Low-power adiabaticity is achieved, generally, using gradient-modulated radio frequency pulses for localization and mixing. The provided pulse sequences also provide a mechanism for longitudinal mixing, which significantly increases the efficiency of magnetization transfer and thereby increases signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A volumetric APT imaging sequence is provided that acquires multi-slice images immediately after a single long continuous wave (CW) RF irradiation, wherein the relaxation-induced loss of CEST contrast is compensated for during post-processing. Thus, a fast volumetric pH-weighted APT imaging technique is provided.

Abstract: A method for producing magnetic resonance images of a subject in which artifacts resulting from a localized source, such as from pulsatile blood flow, are substantially mitigated is provided. The location of an artifact source, at which spins corresponding to flowing blood are located, is identified. Using this identified artifact source location, a region-of-saturation is calculated. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is then directed to perform a pulse sequence that results in the generation of a radio frequency (RF) saturation field being produced by an array of RF transmission coils. The RF saturation field is sized and shaped according to the calculated region-of-saturation. Images are reconstructed from image data acquired after application of the RF saturation field, and artifacts related to motion of the spins at the identified location of the artifact source are substantially mitigated in these images.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring a permeability of a subject's blood-brain barrier to water. The method includes acquiring, with an magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system, a first T1 map of the subject over at least a selected region-of-interest (“ROI”) including a brain of the subject and waiting a delay period selected to allow an affect of the contrast agent on the longitudinal relaxation period to change. The method then includes acquiring, after expiration of the delay period and with the MRI system, a second T1 map of the subject over at least the selected ROI and determining, using the first T1 map and the second T1 map, a fractional volume of vascular compartments in the ROI and a permeability surface area product in the ROI. The method includes creating, using the determined fractional volume and permeability surface area product, a map of water exchange rate in the ROI.

Abstract: Methods for low-power in vivo localized multi-dimensional correlated magnetic resonance spectroscopy (“MRS”) are provided. Low-power adiabaticity is achieved, generally, using gradient-modulated radio frequency pulses for localization and mixing. The provided pulse sequences also provide a mechanism for longitudinal mixing, which significantly increases the efficiency of magnetization transfer and thereby increases signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying MR spectroscopy data acquired using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes acquiring MR spectroscopy data from a region of interest using the MRI system. The MR spectroscopy data is processed to determine relative spectral amplitudes of each of a plurality of points in the MR spectroscopy data resulting from frequency components of molecules in the region of interest. Each of the plurality of points is mapped to a particular optical parameter based at least upon on the relative spectral amplitude associated with each point and a point is generated for each of the plurality of points having the optical parameter mapped thereto. The points for each of the plurality of points are arranged to form a hypsometric map.

Abstract: Diffusion weighted images and perfusion weighted images are acquired with an MRI system and used to produce low b, DWI, ADC, CBV, CBF, and MTT images of brain tissues following an ischemic event. These MRI physiological measurements are input along with a spatial location measurement to a generalized linear model that predicts the outcome of tissues surrounding a lesion.

Abstract: A method for perfusion weighted imaging in which a plurality of local arterial input functions is estimated at each of a plurality of voxels. At least in part of the basis of the local arterial input functions, a cerebral blood flow at a voxel associated with one of the local arterial input functions is estimated.

Abstract: Methods for computing perfusion parameters are described. The methods are typically used to analyze magnetic resonance (MR) and other image data and to calculate tissue perfusion parameters such as blood flow in the brain or in tissues in other organs such as the heart. The methods employ a block-circulant matrix for deconvolving the perfusion parameters from the image data.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately producing MR images of selected vascular compartments includes employing a control scan and a tag scan, each including velocity selective modules that suppress signal from blood flowing faster than a given cutoff velocity, to acquire control and tag sets of NMR data that may be subtracted to produce a compartment-specific MR image that is substantially free of information from stationary tissues and blood outside the selective vascular compartments. Accordingly, physiological parameters, such as oxygen saturation (SaO2), oxygen extraction fraction (OEF), and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2), can be generated from the compartment-specific images. Further still, kinetic curves of oxygen exchange can be created, thus providing detailed insight into oxygen exchange dynamics.

Abstract: A volumetric APT imaging sequence is provided that acquires multi-slice images immediately after a single long continuous wave (CW) RF irradiation, wherein the relaxation-induced loss of CEST contrast is compensated for during post-processing. Thus, a fast volumetric pH-weighted APT imaging technique is provided.

Abstract: Methods for computing perfusion parameters are described. The methods are typically used to analyze magnetic resonance (MR) and other image data and to calculate tissue perfusion parameters such as blood flow in the brain or in tissues in other organs such as the heart. The methods employ a block-circulant matrix for deconvolving the perfusion parameters from the image data.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying MR spectroscopy data acquired using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes acquiring MR spectroscopy data from a region of interest using the MRI system. The MR spectroscopy data is processed to determine relative spectral amplitudes of each of a plurality of points in the MR spectroscopy data resulting from frequency components of molecules in the region of interest. Each of the plurality of points is mapped to a particular optical parameter based at least upon on the relative spectral amplitude associated with each point and a point is generated for each of the plurality of points having the optical parameter mapped thereto. The points for each of the plurality of points are arranged to form a hypsometric map.