Technologies for Improved Quantitative Relaxometry in Awake Children

描述(由申请人提供)：定量磁共振成像(QMRI)方法为描述幼儿大脑发育和异常提供了标准化和客观的测量方法。然而，运动是在幼儿中应用扩展的qMRI研究的一个重大问题，并限制了在这些人群中进行研究的能力。该项目将进一步开发、优化和评估多组分弛豫测量技术。这项技术将专门针对儿科成像进行优化，大大减少采集时间，并利用一种减少运动伪影的新图像重建方法。这些优化的成像技术将在幼儿中进行评估。该项目将提供一套方案、软件工具和策略，用于调查临床和研究儿科人群中健康和异常的脑发育。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) methods provide standardizable and objective measures for characterizing brain development and abnormalities in young children. However, motion is a significant problem for applying extended qMRI studies in young children and has limited the ability to perform studies in these populations. This project will further develop, optimize and evaluate technologies for multicomponent relaxometry. The technique will be specifically optimized for pediatric imaging by dramatically reducing the acquisition time and utilizing a novel image reconstruction method that reduces motion artifacts. These optimized imaging technologies will be evaluated in young children. This project will provide a set of protocols, software tools, and strategies for investigating healthy and abnormal brain development in both clinical and research pediatric populations.