Abstract: A method of assessing tissue vascular permeability for nanotherapeutics using non-labeled dextran can include: receiving a non-labeled, physiologically-tolerable dextran solution by a subject; acquiring a plurality of magnetic resonance images of a distribution of the dextran solution within at least one region of interest of the subject for a corresponding plurality of times; and assessing a tissue vascular permeability of the at least one region of interest to dextran particles in the dextran solution based on differences between the plurality of magnetic resonance images, wherein the dextran solution is a substantially mono-disperse solution of dextran particles of one size.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium and system of planning, guiding and/or monitoring a therapeutic procedure, can include: receiving a non-labeled therapeutic agent by a subject, said non-labeled therapeutic agent comprises at least one type of water-exchangeable proton that is exchangeable with protons in surrounding water molecules so as to enhance detection by a chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) process; acquiring a plurality of CEST magnetic resonance images of said non-labeled therapeutic agent within a region of interest of said subject for a corresponding plurality of times; and assessing at least one of a therapeutic plan or therapeutic effect of said non-labeled therapeutic agent in tissue of said subject based on said plurality of magnetic resonance images

Abstract: The present invention features polypeptide or protein based reporters, wherein the MRI contrast is generated by the protein itself, and methods, MRI systems and MRI imaging kits related thereto. The present invention also features enzyme based reporters, wherein the contrast is generated by the substrate/product of an enzyme, and methods, MRI systems and MRI imaging kits related thereto.

Abstract: Featured are a new class of reporter genes including reporter compositions as well as methods, MRI systems and MRI imaging kits related thereto. The genes according to the present invention provide MR contrast when the sample/subject is irradiated at a specific off-resonance radio-frequency (RF frequency), where the contrast mechanism utilizes chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) technique for imaging.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system includes a magnetic resonance imaging scanner (10) that performs an inversion recovery magnetic resonance excitation sequence (70) having a blood-nulling inversion time (60) determined based on a blood T1 value appropriate for a selected magnetic field and blood hematocrit, whereby magnetic resonance of blood is substantially nulled. The inversion recovery excitation sequence (70) includes an inversion radio frequency pulse (74) applied with a small or zero slice-selective magnetic field gradient pulse to avoid inflow effects, and an excitation radio frequency pulse (80). The inversion pulse (74) and excitation pulse (80) are separated by the inversion time (60). The magnetic resonance imaging scanner (10) subsequently performs a readout magnetic resonance sequence (72) or spectroscopy sequence to acquire a magnetic resonance signal from tissue other than the nulled blood.

Abstract: Featured are a new class of reporter genes including reporter compositions as well as methods, MRI systems and MRI imaging kits related thereto. The genes according to the present invention provide MR contrast when the sample/subject is irradiated at a specific off-resonance radio-frequency (RF frequency), where the contrast mechanism utilizes chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) technique for imaging.

Abstract: Featured are a new class of reporter genes including reporter compositions as well as methods, MRI systems and MRI imaging kits related thereto. The genes according to the present invention provide MR contrast when the sample/subject is irradiated at a specific off-resonance radio-frequency (RF frequency), where the contrast mechanism utilizes chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) technique for imaging.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method for imaging blood volume in parenchyma via magnetic transfer (MT) includes: determining a MT effect of parenchyma; determining a MT effect of tissue; and quantifying the parenchymal blood volume using the difference between the MT effect of parenchyma and the MT effect of tissue. In one embodiment, the parenchymal blood volume is quantified through the following: MTRpar=MTRtissue(1?BV/Vpar), where MTRpar is the magnetization transfer ratio of parenchyma, MTRtissue is the magnetization transfer ratio of tissue, BV is the blood volume, and Vpar is a total parenchymal water volume.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for generating quantitative imagery of demyelination in the spinal cord. The method includes acquiring a magnetization transfer weighted (MTw) MR image of the spinal column, identifying a reference region of interest within the image corresponding to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), averaging the signal intensity corresponding to the reference region of interest, and computing a ratio, on a voxel-by-voxel basis, of the signal intensity of each voxel by the averaged reference signal intensity. In doing so, normalized MTw images are obtained such that detrimental artifacts such as motion-induced errors, coil loading, and RF coil sensitivity variations are obviated.

Abstract: In a method for deriving information about a selected monosaccharide or polysaccharide such as glucose or glycogen, a selected modification such as saturation is made of magnetic resonance at a magnetic resonance frequency of protons of hydroxyl groups of the selected monosaccharide or polysaccharide. Probative water proton magnetic resonance data are acquired while the selected modification is substantially in effect. Information is derived about concentration or density of the selected monosaccharide or polysaccharide based at least on the probative water proton magnetic resonance data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for generating quantitative imagery of demyelination in the spinal cord. The method includes acquiring a magnetization transfer weighted (MTw) MR image of the spinal column, identifying a reference region of interest within the image corresponding to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), averaging the signal intensity corresponding to the reference region of interest, and computing a ratio, on a voxel-by-voxel basis, of the signal intensity of each voxel by the averaged reference signal intensity. In doing so, normalized MTw images are obtained such that detrimental artifacts such as motion-induced errors, coil loading, and RF coil sensitivity variations are obviated.

Abstract: Featured are a new class of reporter genes including reporter compositions as well as methods, MRI systems and MRI imaging kits related thereto. The genes according to the present invention provide MR contrast when the sample/subject is irradiated at a specific off-resonance radio-frequency (RF frequency), where the contrast mechanism utilizes chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) technique for imaging.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for generating quantitative imagery of demyelination in the spinal cord. The method includes acquiring a magnetization transfer weighted (MTw) MR image of the spinal column, identifying a reference region of interest within the image corresponding to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), averaging the signal intensity corresponding to the reference region of interest, and computing a ratio, on a voxel-by-voxel basis, of the signal intensity of each voxel by the averaged reference signal intensity. In doing so, normalized MTw images are obtained such that detrimental artifacts such as motion-induced errors, coil loading, and RF coil sensitivity variations are obviated.

Abstract: In a method for deriving information about a selected monosaccharide or polysaccharide such as glucose or glycogen, a selected modification such as saturation is made of magnetic resonance at a magnetic resonance frequency of protons of hydroxyl groups of the selected monosaccharide or polysaccharide. Probative water proton magnetic resonance data are acquired while the selected modification is substantially in effect. Information is derived about concentration or density of the selected monosaccharide or polysaccharide based at least on the probative water proton magnetic resonance data.

Abstract: Featured are methods for magnetic resonance imaging in which MR signals of selected tissues, fluid or body components in a target area are desired to be essentially eliminated, which method includes applying an initial RF inversion pulse to invert the magnetization of the selected tissues or to apply any other T1 preparation aimed at nulling one or more tissue species and successively applying one or more RF inversions pulses thereafter. More particularly, the successively applied RF inversion pulses are applied so as to essentially maintain the magnetization of the selected tissues at or about the zero-crossing point of the longitudinal magnetization. Such methods further include interleaving a plurality of excitation pulses for acquiring image data and the RF inversion pulses so that at least one of the plurality of excitation pulses follows in a time sequence the application of one of the applied RF inversion pulses such that the image data is acquired following an inversion pulse.

Abstract: Featured is an MRI/NMR methodology or process to detect amide protons of endogenous mobile proteins and peptides via the water signal. Such methods and processes can be used for the purposes of detection of pH effects and labile amide proton content of mobile proteins/peptides or content changes thereto using MRI Also featured are methods whereby assessment of determined pH effects and amide proton content or content changes and related mobile protein and/or peptide content or content changes can be used in connection with diagnosis, program and treatment of brain related disorders and diseases, cardiac disorders and diseases, and cancer and to use such methods for monitoring, detecting and assessing protein and peptide content in vivo and pathologically for any of a number of diseases or disorders of a human body, including but not limited to cancers, ischemia, Alzheimers and Parkinsons.

Abstract: The present invention features an MRI/NMR methodology or process for detecting exogenous amide protons in a region of interest of a body or sample via the water signal. Such methods and processes can be used for any of a number of purposes including determining and assessing the delivery and/or content of a molecular or cellular target(s), such as ligands, oglionucleotides, and RNA/DNA (including plasmids) tagged or labeled by an exogenous contrast agent sourcing such amide protons; detecting and assessing pH effects, more particularly the pH of the liquid pool (e.g., blood); and as a mechanism for MR/NMR signal enhancement (e.g., providing another mechanism for developing contrast between tissues, etc. of the region of interest.

Abstract: Featured is an MRI/NMR methodology or process to detect amide protons of endogenous mobile proteins and peptides via the water signal. Such methods and processes can be used for the purposes of detection of pH effects and amide proton content or content changes and related mobile protein and peptide content or content changes using MR imaging. Also featured are methods whereby assessment of determined pH effects and amide proton content or content changes and related mobile protein and/or peptide content or content changes can be used in connection with diagnosis, program and treatment of brain related disorders and diseases, cardiac disorders and diseases, and cancer and to use such methods for monitoring, detecting and assessing protein and peptide content in vivo and pathologically for any of a number of diseases or disorders of a human body, including but not limited to cancers, ischemia, Alzheimers and Parkinsons.