Next Generation 7T MRI Platform Upgrade with Parallel Transmit Capabilities

描述（申请人提供）：这项共享仪器资助申请的长期目标是为斯坦福大学的研究界带来下一代7特斯拉全身磁共振成像（MRI）系统，特别是具有并行传输功能的GE Discover MR 950 7.0 T系统，作为尖端成像技术研发的平台，以及放射学和神经科学研究。我们在本提案中描述的方法是跨学科的，汇集了来自物理学，工程学，生物工程学，生物学，生理学，放射学，神经学，精神病学和心理学等专业的研究人员。这里要求的共享仪器将作为该小组创建、改进、实施、验证和利用最先进形式的磁共振成像的催化剂和共同平台。下一代7 T MRI平台的主要基于患者的成像研究应用包括大脑发育、精神病理学、药物依赖、酒精诱导的脑损伤及其功能后果、神经退行性过程、威廉姆斯、特纳和脆性X综合征、脑损伤、乳腺癌、关节损伤以及与上述部分或全部相关的治疗干预的研究。下一代7 T MRI平台将实现的主要技术发展方向包括质子（1H）核以及非质子核的MR光谱成像（MRSI），在大脑和肌肉骨骼系统中，大脑中的高级灌注和扩散张量成像，全乳房成像，重要的是，并行发射技术，用于减轻限制在任何器官系统中使用高磁场MRI的B1不均匀性。拟议研究的总体目标是开发软件和硬件方法，使7 T MRI对临床研究产生比以前更大的影响，并将高场MRI的能力扩展到前所未有的空间分辨率，代谢物和铁敏感性以及组织表征水平。拟议的研究项目与卫生与公众服务部的使命高度一致，并与公共卫生有关。拟议的研究将在由成像研究领域的国际领导者指导的跨学科实验室进行：高场和高灵敏度MRI方法学发展（Brian Rutt博士，PI），发育障碍和临床神经科学（Allan Reiss博士），DTI方法学开发（罗兰巴默博士），肌肉骨骼疾病和放射学研究（Garry Gold博士），乳腺MRI方法学开发（Brian Hargreaves博士），并行发射和射频脉冲技术开发（约翰保利博士），精神疾病和神经影像学（Dolf Pfefferbaum和Edith Sullivan博士），MR光谱成像方法学开发（Dan Spielman博士），精神疾病和临床神经科学（Edith Sullivan博士），认知神经科学和神经影像学（Brian Wandell博士）和神经血管成像（Greg Zaharchuk博士）。 项目叙述/相关性：大脑发育和功能障碍（早期和晚期），乳腺癌和关节损伤/疼痛是影响全球数十亿人的三种不同的病理。将下一代人类7 T MRI系统放置在斯坦福大学将为MRI方法学开发以及基础生物学和临床研究的重大扩展提供一个平台，所有这些都有望为我们机构改善这些疾病患者的健康和福祉的长期目标做出实质性贡献。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term objective of this Shared Instrumentation Grant application is to bring to the research community at Stanford a next-generation 7 Tesla whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, specifically the GE Discover MR950 7.0T system with parallel transmit capabilities, to serve as a platform for cutting-edge imaging technology research and development, as well as for radiological and neuroscience research. The approach we describe in this proposal is interdisciplinary, bringing together researchers from the specialties of physics, engineering, bioengineering, biology, physiology, radiology, neurology, psychiatry, and psychology. The shared instrumentation requested here will act as a catalyst and common platform for this group to create, refine, implement, validate and utilize the most advanced forms of magnetic resonance imaging. Major patient-based imaging research applications of the next-generation 7T MRI platform include studies of brain development, psychopathology, drug dependence, alcohol-induced brain damage and its functional consequences, neurodegenerative processes, Williams, Turner and fragile X syndromes, brain injury, breast cancer, joint injuries, and therapeutic interventions associated with some or all of the above. Major technology development directions that will be enabled by this next-generation 7T MRI platform include MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) of the proton (1H) nucleus as well as non-proton nuclei, in both brain and musculoskeletal systems, advanced perfusion and diffusion tensor imaging in brain, whole breast imaging, and, importantly, parallel transmit technology for mitigating B1 inhomogeneities that limit the use of high magnetic field MRI in any organ system. The overarching aims of the proposed research are to develop software and hardware methods to allow 7T MRI to have a much greater impact on clinical research than possible before, as well as to extend the capabilities of high-field MRI to unprecedented levels of spatial resolution, metabolite and iron sensitivity, and tissue characterization. The proposed research projects are highly compatible with the mission of the Department of Health and Human Services and relevant to public health. The proposed research will take place at interdisciplinary laboratories directed by international leaders in imaging research: high field and high sensitivity MRI methodology development (Dr. Brian Rutt, PI), developmental disorders and clinical neuroscience (Dr. Allan Reiss), DTI methodology development (Dr. Roland Bammer), musculoskeletal disorders and radiological research (Dr. Garry Gold), breast MRI methodology development (Dr. Brian Hargreaves), parallel transmit and RF pulse technology development (Dr. John Pauly), psychiatric disorders and neuroimaging (Drs. Dolf Pfefferbaum and Edith Sullivan), MR spectroscopic imaging methodology development (Dr. Dan Spielman), psychiatric disorders and clinical neuroscience (Dr. Edith Sullivan), cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging (Dr. Brian Wandell) and neurovascular imaging (Dr. Greg Zaharchuk). Project Narrative / Relevance: Disorders of brain development and function (both early and late in life), breast cancer and joint injuries/pain are three disparate pathologies that affect billions of people worldwide. The placement of a next generation, human 7T MRI system to Stanford will provide a platform for significant expansion of not just MRI methodology development, but also both basic biological as well as clinical research, all of which promise to contribute substantively to our institution's long-term goals for improving the health and well being of individuals suffering from these disorders.