Comparison of single voxel brain MRS AT 3T and 7T using 32-channel head coils

Subechhya Pradhan; Susanne Bonekamp; Joseph S Gillen; Laura M Rowland; S Andrea Wijtenburg; Richard A E Edden; Peter B Barker

doi:10.1016/j.mri.2015.06.003

Comparison of single voxel brain MRS AT 3T and 7T using 32-channel head coils

Magn Reson Imaging. 2015 Oct;33(8):1013-8. doi: 10.1016/j.mri.2015.06.003. Epub 2015 Jun 25.

Authors

Subechhya Pradhan¹, Susanne Bonekamp², Joseph S Gillen³, Laura M Rowland⁴, S Andrea Wijtenburg⁴, Richard A E Edden², Peter B Barker³

Affiliations

¹ Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. Electronic address: subechhya@jhmi.edu.
² Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
³ Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; F.M. Kirby Research Centre, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
⁴ Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of three different regions of the human brain between 3 and 7 Tesla, using the same subjects and closely matched methodology at both field strengths.

Methods: A semi-LASER (sLASER) pulse sequence with TE 32ms was used to acquire metabolite spectrum along with the water reference at 3T and 7T using similar experimental parameters and hardware at both field strengths (n=4 per region and field). Spectra were analyzed in LCModel using a simulated basis set.

Results: Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at 7T was higher compared to 3T, and linewidths (in ppm) at both field strengths were comparable in ppm scale. Of the 13 metabolites reported in the paper, most metabolites were measured with higher precision at 7T in all three regions.

Conclusion: The study confirms gains in SNR and measurement precision at 7T in all three representative brain regions using the sLASER pulse sequence coupled with a 32-channel phased-array head coil.

Keywords: 3 Tesla; 7 Tesla; Brain; Magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Semi-LASER.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Evaluation Study
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Adult
Brain / anatomy & histology*
Brain / metabolism*
Equipment Design
Equipment Failure Analysis
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / instrumentation*
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / instrumentation*
Male
Radiation Dosage
Reproducibility of Results
Sensitivity and Specificity
Tissue Distribution
Transducers*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding