Combining chemical exchange saturation transfer and (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy for simultaneous determination of metabolite concentrations and effects of magnetization exchange

PURPOSE: A new sequence combining chemical‐exchange saturation‐transfer (CEST) with traditional MRS is used to simultaneously determine metabolite content and effects of magnetization exchange. METHODS: A CEST saturation block consisting of a train of RF‐pulses is placed before a metabolite‐cycled semi‐LASER single‐voxel spectroscopy sequence. The saturation parameters are adjustable to allow optimization of the saturation for a specific target. Data were collected in brain from 20 subjects in experiments with different B(1)‐settings (0.4‐2.0 µT) on a 3T MR scanner. CEST Z‐spectra were calculated from water intensities and fitted with a multi‐pool Lorentzian model. Interrelated metabolite spectra were fitted in fitting tool for arrays of interrelated datasets (FiTAID). RESULTS: Evaluation of traditional Z‐spectra from water revealed exchange effects from amides, amines, and hydroxyls as well as an upfield nuclear Overhauser effect. The magnetization transfer effect was evaluated on metabolites and macromolecules for the whole spectral range and for the different B(1) levels. A correction scheme for direct saturation on metabolites is proposed. Both magnetization‐transfer and direct saturation proved to differ for individual metabolites. CONCLUSION: Using non‐water‐suppressed spectroscopy offers time‐saving simultaneous recording of the traditional CEST Z‐spectrum from water and the metabolite spectrum under frequency‐selective saturation. In addition, exchange and magnetization‐transfer effects on metabolites and macromolecules can be detected, which might offer additional possibilities for quantification or give further insight into the composition of the traditional CEST Z‐spectrum. Apparent magnetization‐transfer effects on macromolecular signals in the (1)H‐MR spectrum have been found. Detailed knowledge of magnetization‐transfer effects is also relevant for judging the influence of water‐suppression on the quantification of metabolite signals.