Ultra High Field (16.4 Tesla) Animal MRI/MRS System

描述（由申请人提供）：本申请寻求对配备超高磁场的磁共振成像（MRI）和光谱（MRS）仪器的部分支持，用于动物模型的体内研究。动物核磁共振/MRS仪器将采用横向16.4 T、直径为26厘米的磁体，这在国内尚属首次。它将位于磁共振研究中心（CMRR），以利用高场磁共振专业知识和已经到位的基础设施，并得到美国国立卫生研究院的支持。该超高场磁共振系统将支持和加强生物技术研究资源基金（P41 RR008079）、神经科学核心中心基金（P30 NS057091）以及R01和其他基金资助的众多项目的研究。在其众多新功能中，这一独特的16.4T MR系统将提供更高的空间分辨率（例如，用于对小鼠阿尔茨海默氏斑块进行成像），提高fMRI的空间分辨率和特异性（例如，用于绘制大脑功能结构），提高MRS的灵敏度和生化信息（例如，用于理解脑功能和能量代谢之间的耦合）。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application seeks partial support for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) instrument equipped with an ultrahigh magnetic field for in vivo studies of animal models. The proposed animal MRI/MRS instrument will be based on a horizontal 16.4 T magnet having a clear bore diameter of 26 cm, which will be the first of its kind in the nation. It will be located in the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), to take advantage of the high field MR expertise and infrastructure already in place and supported by the NIH. This ultrahigh field MR system will support and enhance research being conducted within a Biotechnology Research Resource grant (P41 RR008079), a Neuroscience Core Center grant (P30 NS057091), and numerous projects funded by R01 and other grants. Among its many new capabilities, this unique 16.4T MR system will provide increased spatial resolution (e.g., for imaging Alzheimer's plaques in mice), increased spatial resolution and specificity in fMRI (e.g., for mapping functional structures in the brain), and increased sensitivity and biochemical information in MRS (e.g., for understanding the coupling between brain function and energy metabolism). PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Quantitative imaging is essential to understanding all types of brain diseases. In vivo MRS and MRI has contributed significantly to the current knowledge of normal and diseased brain, but the achievable sensitivity and resolution (spatial and spectral) are limited by the strength of the magnetic field. The proposed MRI/MRS instrument will offer a substantially increased magnetic field (16.4 T) over previous in vivo MR systems, and thus, will yield new structural, functional, and biochemical information in studies of normal brain and disease models. This knowledge, together with the advanced MRI and MRS techniques to be developed, will offer valuable tools for preclinical trials of novel therapeutic agents, and ultimately, for early disease detection and guiding treatments in the clinic.