Dynamic transitions for fast joint acquisition and reconstruction of CEST-Rex and T1

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Main Authors: Huemer, Markus, Stilianu, Clemens, Scholand, Nick, Mackner, Daniel, Uecker, Martin, Zaiss, Moritz, Stollberger, and Rudolf
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Huemer, Markus
Stilianu, Clemens
Scholand, Nick
Mackner, Daniel
Uecker, Martin
Zaiss, Moritz
Stollberger, and Rudolf
author_facet Huemer, Markus
Stilianu, Clemens
Scholand, Nick
Mackner, Daniel
Uecker, Martin
Zaiss, Moritz
Stollberger, and Rudolf
contents Purpose: This work proposes a method for the simultaneous estimation of the exchange-dependent relaxation rate Rex and the longitudinal relaxation time T1 from a single acquisition. Methods: A novel acquisition scheme was developed that combines CEST saturation with an inversion pulse and a Look-Locker readout to capture the magnetization evolution starting from the inverse transient Z-spectrum. The corresponding signal model, derived from the Bloch-McConnell equations, describes both the transient Z-spectrum and the Look-Locker dynamics. A model-based reconstruction approach is employed to jointly estimate Rex and T1. The proposed method was validated using a numerical phantom and benchmarked against conventional CEST and Look-Locker T1 mapping in phantom and in vivo on a clinical 3T scanner. Results: The joint estimation approach demonstrated strong agreement with ground truth and conventional methods across a wide range of T1 and CEST parameters. The acquisition time was reduced by 20-30% compared to standard CEST protocols, while providing higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in parameter maps. Conclusion: The proposed technique enables robust and efficient simultaneous quantification of CEST Rex and T1 in a single acquisition. It improves parameter map quality and reduces scan time, making it suitable for both phantom and in vivo imaging across a wide range of physiological conditions.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2509_21184
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Dynamic transitions for fast joint acquisition and reconstruction of CEST-Rex and T1
Huemer, Markus
Stilianu, Clemens
Scholand, Nick
Mackner, Daniel
Uecker, Martin
Zaiss, Moritz
Stollberger, and Rudolf
Medical Physics
Purpose: This work proposes a method for the simultaneous estimation of the exchange-dependent relaxation rate Rex and the longitudinal relaxation time T1 from a single acquisition. Methods: A novel acquisition scheme was developed that combines CEST saturation with an inversion pulse and a Look-Locker readout to capture the magnetization evolution starting from the inverse transient Z-spectrum. The corresponding signal model, derived from the Bloch-McConnell equations, describes both the transient Z-spectrum and the Look-Locker dynamics. A model-based reconstruction approach is employed to jointly estimate Rex and T1. The proposed method was validated using a numerical phantom and benchmarked against conventional CEST and Look-Locker T1 mapping in phantom and in vivo on a clinical 3T scanner. Results: The joint estimation approach demonstrated strong agreement with ground truth and conventional methods across a wide range of T1 and CEST parameters. The acquisition time was reduced by 20-30% compared to standard CEST protocols, while providing higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in parameter maps. Conclusion: The proposed technique enables robust and efficient simultaneous quantification of CEST Rex and T1 in a single acquisition. It improves parameter map quality and reduces scan time, making it suitable for both phantom and in vivo imaging across a wide range of physiological conditions.
title Dynamic transitions for fast joint acquisition and reconstruction of CEST-Rex and T1
topic Medical Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.21184