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Abstract #2991

Detection of Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) Contrast Using Frequency Transfer

Joshua Friedman1,2, Michael McMahon1, James Stivers2, Peter Christiaan van Zijl1

1Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; 2Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States


Currently, CEST compounds are detected using radiofrequency (RF) based saturation transfer followed by asymmetry analysis of the magnetization transfer spectrum. We report an approach that, instead of saturation transfer, employs a series of so-called label-transfer modules (LTMs), in which frequency labeling and consecutive transfer of labeled protons to water is achieved. No asymmetry analysis is needed and exchangeable protons at multiple frequencies can be detected simultaneously through the water proton signal, while maintaining specific frequency information of the individual solute protons. As a first example, the method is applied to a DNA sample and the theory confirmed experimentally.