Separating CEST from MT Asymmetry by Simultaneous Two-Frequency Irradiation

Jae-Seung Lee¹, ², Ravinder R. Regatte¹, Alexej Jerschow²

CEST and MT contrast have enjoyed wide popularity recently in MRI applications. It is often difficult to separate genuine CEST signatures from MT effects, which are asymmetric with respect to the water resonance. We recently developed a method that utilizes simultaneous two-frequency rf irradiation, which can make MT effects independent of irradiation frequencies over a wide range, and thus can suppress MT asymmetry. Based on the results from the simulations as well as experiments, we propose a new strategy to isolate CEST contrast from MT asymmetry contrast by using the two-frequency rf irradiation technique.