A Clinical MR Scanner for Imaging Hyperpolarized Carbon-13

描述（由申请人提供）：要求支持购买一套可扩展的临床MRI系统，1.5至3.0 T，配备13C化学位移成像的超极化分子，作为通过人类心脏特定代谢途径的通量报告。UT西南在13C核磁共振光谱分析心脏中间代谢方面有着悠久的研究记录，最近，13C动态核极化（DNP）的富有成效的研究计划已经建立。即使在这个早期发展阶段，很明显，13C DNP为动物生理学和疾病模型提供了根本性的新见解，毫无疑问，这项技术将适用于人类心脏病患者。然而，西南大学目前的研究项目由于缺乏一种适合进行体内13C成像研究的柔性磁共振仪器而受到限制。拟议的扫描仪将安装在先进成像研究中心，并与DNP现有的研究计划集成。目前的目标是在啮齿动物和大型动物的心脏和肝脏中成像超极化13C，为人类临床试验奠定基础。该设施将是独一无二的，因为它结合了分子生物学、代谢、合成化学、13C核磁共振波谱和心脏病学方面的当地专业知识。UT西南大学没有获得超极化核研究的行业支持，也没有与任何与超极化核生产或应用相关的公司签订知识产权协议。因此，我们可以自由地探索DNP的判断是适当的。动态核极化有可能从根本上改变临床检查的分子成像。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Support is requested to purchase a rampable clinical MRI system, 1.5 to 3.0 T, equipped for 13C chemical shift imaging of hyperpolarized molecules as reporters of flux through specific metabolic pathways in the human heart. UT Southwestern has a long record of research in 13C NMR spectroscopy for analysis of intermediary metabolism in the heart and, more recently, a productive research program in 13C dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) has been established. Even at this early stage of development, it is clear that 13C DNP offers fundamentally new insights into physiology and disease models in animals and there is little doubt that the technology will be applicable in human patients with heart disease. Current research programs at Southwestern, however, are limited by the lack of a flexible MR instrument suitable for developing in vivo 13C imaging studies. The proposed scanner will be installed at the Advanced Imaging Research Center and integrated with the existing research program in DNP. The immediate goal is to image hyperpolarized 13C in the heart and liver of rodents and larger animals to establish the basis for clinical trials in humans. This facility will be unique because of the combined local expertise in molecular biology, metabolism, synthetic chemistry, 13C NMR spectroscopy, and cardiology. UT Southwestern does not receive industry support for studies with hyperpolarized nuclei nor do we have intellectual property agreements with any company related to production or applications of hyperpolarized nuclei. Consequently, we are free to explore DNP as judged appropriate. Dynamic nuclear polarization has the potential to fundamentally transform molecular imaging for clinical exams.