An efficient sequence to acquire sodium image, i.e., rotation of the spiral disc, was developed last year. This sequence is further developed to separate the sodium signal into intra- and extra-cellular sodium by collecting multiple echoes and bi-exponential curve fitting. This method is confirmed on agarose phantom for T2* mapping and on human lower-leg muscle with an isometric plantar flexion exercise for separation of intra- and extra-cellular sodium. In the calf muscle experiment, it was found that the intracellular sodium was increased more than the extra-cellular sodium. This method finally allows studying separately the intra- and extra-cellular sodium in muscles.
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