Estimation of metabolite T1 relaxation times using tissue specific analysis, signal averaging and bootstrapping from magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging data

Object A novel method of estimating metabolite T1 relaxation times using MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) is proposed. As opposed to conventional single-voxel metabolite T1 estimation methods, this method investigates regional and gray matter (GM)/white matter (WM) differences in metabolite T1 by taking advantage of the spatial distribution information provided by MRSI

Reduced NAA-Levels in the NAWM of Patients with MS Is a Feature of Progression. A Study with Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy at 3 Tesla

Reduced N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) levels in magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) may visualize axonal damage even in the normal appearing white matter (NAWM). Demyelination and axonal degeneration are a hallmark in multiple sclerosis (MS).To define the extent of axonal degeneration in the NAWM in the remote from focal lesions in patients with relapsing-remitting (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS).H-MR-chemical shift imaging (TR = 1500ms, TE = 135ms, nominal resolution 1ccm) operating at 3Tesla to assess the metabolic pattern in the fronto–parietal NAWM. Ratios of NAA to creatine (Cr) and choline (Cho) and absolute concentrations of the metabolites in the NAWM were measured in each voxel matching exclusively white matter on the anatomical T2 weighted MR images.No significant difference of absolute concentrations for NAA, Cr and Cho or metabolite ratios were found between RRMS and controls. In SPMS, the NAA/Cr ratio and absolute concentrations for NAA and Cr were significantly reduced compared to RRMS and to controls.In our study SPMS patients, but not RRMS patients were characterized by low NAA levels. Reduced NAA-levels in the NAWM of patients with MS is a feature of progression

1H-MRS of hepatic fat using short TR at 3T: SNR optimization and fast T2 relaxometry.

Item does not contain fulltextOBJECT: To increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) efficiency of hepatic fat signals in proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) at 3 T, in order to improve the quantitation of hepatic fat and allow fast, single breath-hold T2 relaxometry of hepatic water and fat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since the T1 of lipid protons is relatively short, we hypothesized that it could be possible to increase the lipid SNR efficiency by choosing a TR shorter than that typically employed (>/=1.5 s). The lipid SNR per unit-time was calculated using published values of lipid (CH2)n protons' T1 at 3 T. 1H MRS PRESS spectra were acquired from VOIs located in the right lobe of the liver in 28 healthy volunteers. At the short TR of 0.6 s, fast T2 relaxometry with the acquisition of 16 echo times (30, 40, ..., 180 ms), was performed in a single breath-hold measurement using a modified PRESS sequence. RESULTS: Good agreement was observed between simulated and experimental data, with the shortening of TR to 0.6 s yielding an ~50% SNR improvement of hepatic lipid (CH2)n resonances, compared to the SNR at TR=2 s. The T2 relaxation time of water and lipid (CH2)n protons at 3 T was 25.8+/-1.1 ms and 55.4+/-3.9 ms, respectively, across five healthy volunteers. CONCLUSION: The short-TR approach allows for an improved SNR efficiency of lipids and for fast T2 relaxometry of hepatic water and fat, with a detailed coverage of the T2 relaxation decay curve, within a single breath-hold experiment.1 december 201

The Relationship between Parental Variables, Empathy and Prosocial-Flow with Prosocial Behavior toward Strangers, Friends, and Family

The goal of this study was to explore the relationship between two different aspects of the parent-child relationship (parental challenge and authoritative parental style) and empathy as well as prosocial flow with prosocial behavior toward strangers, friends,and family. The participants were 422 young adults who were enrolled in undergraduate social responsibility courses at a University. The results show that thecombination of parental support and parental challenge has an important influence on prosocial flow and on positive behavior such as prosocial behavior toward friends and family, but no influence on that toward strangers. Moreover, in the same way, empathy and prosocial flow promote prosocial behavior toward these three targets. The interpretations of these findings are delineated in the discussion.Fil: Mesurado, Maria Belen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones en Psicología Matemática y Experimental Dr. Horacio J. A. Rimoldi; Argentina. Universidad Austral ; ArgentinaFil: Richaud, Maria Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones en Psicología Matemática y Experimental Dr. Horacio J. A. Rimoldi; Argentin