He Zhu1,2, Joseph S. Gillen1,2, Peter B. Barker1,2, Peter C.M. van Zijl1,2, Jinyuan Zhou1,2
1Russell H Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Maryland, MD, USA; 2F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Maryland, MD, USA
Amide proton transfer (APT) imaging is a novel chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) based MRI modality that gives contrast due to endogenous cytosolic protein and peptide content, as well as tissue pH, in vivo. In this abstract, a fast 3D APT technique with whole-brain coverage that is suitable for clinical applications is presented. Preliminary results show that the APT signal in the brain is about 1-2.2% of the water intensity, and the highest APT signal is detected in the cerebellum.