Highly Accelerated 3D Amide Proton Transfer (APT) Imaging of the Whole Brain at 3T Using a 32-Channel Phased-Array Coil

He Zhu^1,2, Craig K. Jones^1,2, Jun Hua^1,2, Ronald Ouwerkerk¹, Peter C.M. van Zijl^1,2, Peter Barker^1,2, Jinyuan Zhou^1,2

We presented a fast 3D APT imaging approach with whole-brain coverage. The sequence employs a gradient and spin echo (GRASE) readout, combined with parallel imaging. The results show that the GRASE 3D APT approach largely reduced the scanning time and the RF power deposition. Data from normal volunteers clearly show the presence of the lipid artifacts and the artifacts caused by B0 inhomogeneity, and the feasibility of their corrections. The preliminary results show that GRASE 3D APT imaging can be acquired within a clinically feasible time.