An in vivo multimodal feasibility study using flexible multinuclear MR and PET systems
Chang-Hoon Choi, Carina Stegmayr, Aliaksandra Shymanskaya, Wieland A. Worthoff, Nuno A. da Silva, Jörg Felder, Karl-Josef Langen and N. Jon Shah
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) are commonly used in routine clinical practice to generate images of the brain non-invasively. Standard proton MRI (1H MRI) is used to provide detailed structural information about the brain and X-nuclei MRI (nuclei other than 1H), such as sodium-23 (23Na) or phosphorus-31 (31P), can be used to provide complementary information relating to cell membrane integrity and energy metabolism.
These MRI techniques can also be combined with positron emission tomography (PET) to give a holistic picture of
the brain in terms of structure and metabolic processes, providing doctors with
detailed information on which to base diagnosis and treatment planning.
While the combined use of 1H MRI, X-nuclei MRI and PET imaging is undoubtedly advantageous, identifying the optimal combination of these parameters to diagnose a specific dysfunction is critical
and is advanced by the use of sophisticated imaging techniques in specific models.
Based on the high-quality in vivo images and spectra obtained in this study, it was possible to characterise the tumour tissues in comparison to a healthy brain. This is particularly important as it has been reported in the literature that the parameters used in this study are useful in the identification of the genetic profile of gliomas, particularly concerning the mutation of the isocitrate hydrogenase gene, which is highly relevant for treatment strategies.
Consequently, it is anticipated that
using a combination of multinuclear MR and PET in brain tumour models with specific genetic mutations could enable the optimal combination of imaging parameters to be identified
for the non-invasive characterisation of the molecular profile of tumours. This
could then lead to improvements in treatment planning for brain tumour patients.
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