Next Generation Pediatric Neuroimaging (NGPN) Feasibility

由于图像中与运动相关的伪影，儿科MR成像尤其困难。经常 这需要在临床上进行全身麻醉，最近已经证明， 不利于大脑发育。这对评估这一点设置了独特的障碍。 用于临床和研究目的。在本申请中，我们提出 开发下一代儿科神经成像（NGPN）技术， 允许在存在运动的情况下收集高质量的MR图像，从而 消除了在成像时对全身麻醉的需要。这项技术将提供 MRI对比质子密度、T1、T2、T2*、扩散、灌注和fMRI。NGPN将 通过开发新型硬件（RF线圈和T/R开关）、成像 序列和图像重建工具。这些进步将使临床医生和 研究人员以更安全、更可靠和更有效的方式对儿科受试者进行成像。

Pediatric MR imaging is especially difficult due to motion-related artifacts in the images. Often this requires general anesthesia in the clinic, which has been shown recently to be detrimental to brain development. This places unique barriers on assessment of this population for both clinical and research purposes. In this application, we propose the development of the Next Generation Pediatric Neuroimaging (NGPN) technology, which will allow for high quality MR images to be collected in the presence of motion, thereby eliminating the need for general anesthesia while imaging. This technology will provide the MRI contrasts for proton density, T1, T2, T2*, diffusion, perfusion, and fMRI. The NGPN will be achieved by the development of novel hardware (RF coils and T/R switches), imaging sequences, and image reconstruction tools. These advancements will allow clinicians and researchers to image pediatric subjects in a safer, more reliable and efficient manner.