Abstract #3249

Stainsby J, Noseworthy M, Fan Z, Sussman M

BOLD contrast has been demonstrated in liver, following certain challenges, in rats and humans. The effect is exacerbated in the liver between fasted and postprandial states. In the present study, fasted human liver was stimulated through ingestion of a controlled meal resulting in dynamic modulation of T2*-weighted images. In the healthy liver parenchyma, an approximate 70% decline in BOLD signal intensity followed by elevation to a level 20% higher than baseline (i.e. fasted state) was observed. Analysis of hepatic signal vs. time provides a baseline for healthy liver response to a standardized challenge.