WO2010051267A1 - System and method for identifying the potential for and the presence of neurodegenerative diseases using magnetic resonance imaging - Google Patents

System and method for identifying the potential for and the presence of neurodegenerative diseases using magnetic resonance imaging Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2010051267A1
WO2010051267A1 PCT/US2009/062173 US2009062173W WO2010051267A1 WO 2010051267 A1 WO2010051267 A1 WO 2010051267A1 US 2009062173 W US2009062173 W US 2009062173W WO 2010051267 A1 WO2010051267 A1 WO 2010051267A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
subject
maps
susceptibility
pulse sequence
neurodegenerative disease
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2009/062173
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Daniel F. Broderick
Katherine Schweitzer
Zbigniew K. Wszolek
Dennis W. Dickson
Uwe Klose
Daniela Berg
Thomas Glasser
Original Assignee
Mayo Foundation For Medical Education And Resaerch
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mayo Foundation For Medical Education And Resaerch filed Critical Mayo Foundation For Medical Education And Resaerch
Publication of WO2010051267A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010051267A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/05—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves 
    • A61B5/055—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves  involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/40—Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the nervous system
    • A61B5/4076—Diagnosing or monitoring particular conditions of the nervous system
    • A61B5/4082—Diagnosing or monitoring movement diseases, e.g. Parkinson, Huntington or Tourette
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B6/00—Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment
    • A61B6/52—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for radiation diagnosis
    • A61B6/5205—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for radiation diagnosis involving processing of raw data to produce diagnostic data
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
    • G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
    • G01R33/44—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
    • G01R33/48—NMR imaging systems
    • G01R33/50—NMR imaging systems based on the determination of relaxation times, e.g. T1 measurement by IR sequences; T2 measurement by multiple-echo sequences
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06T—IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
    • G06T7/00—Image analysis
    • G06T7/0002—Inspection of images, e.g. flaw detection
    • G06T7/0012—Biomedical image inspection
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06T—IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
    • G06T7/00—Image analysis
    • G06T7/40—Analysis of texture
    • G06T7/41—Analysis of texture based on statistical description of texture
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
    • G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
    • G01R33/44—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
    • G01R33/48—NMR imaging systems
    • G01R33/54—Signal processing systems, e.g. using pulse sequences ; Generation or control of pulse sequences; Operator console
    • G01R33/56—Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques, e.g. improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and resolution
    • G01R33/5602—Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques, e.g. improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and resolution by filtering or weighting based on different relaxation times within the sample, e.g. T1 weighting using an inversion pulse
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
    • G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
    • G01R33/44—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
    • G01R33/48—NMR imaging systems
    • G01R33/54—Signal processing systems, e.g. using pulse sequences ; Generation or control of pulse sequences; Operator console
    • G01R33/56—Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques, e.g. improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and resolution
    • G01R33/561—Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques, e.g. improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and resolution by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
    • G01R33/5615—Echo train techniques involving acquiring plural, differently encoded, echo signals after one RF excitation, e.g. using gradient refocusing in echo planar imaging [EPI], RF refocusing in rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement [RARE] or using both RF and gradient refocusing in gradient and spin echo imaging [GRASE]
    • G01R33/5616—Echo train techniques involving acquiring plural, differently encoded, echo signals after one RF excitation, e.g. using gradient refocusing in echo planar imaging [EPI], RF refocusing in rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement [RARE] or using both RF and gradient refocusing in gradient and spin echo imaging [GRASE] using gradient refocusing, e.g. EPI
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
    • G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
    • G01R33/44—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
    • G01R33/48—NMR imaging systems
    • G01R33/54—Signal processing systems, e.g. using pulse sequences ; Generation or control of pulse sequences; Operator console
    • G01R33/56—Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques, e.g. improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and resolution
    • G01R33/561—Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques, e.g. improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and resolution by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
    • G01R33/5615—Echo train techniques involving acquiring plural, differently encoded, echo signals after one RF excitation, e.g. using gradient refocusing in echo planar imaging [EPI], RF refocusing in rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement [RARE] or using both RF and gradient refocusing in gradient and spin echo imaging [GRASE]
    • G01R33/5617—Echo train techniques involving acquiring plural, differently encoded, echo signals after one RF excitation, e.g. using gradient refocusing in echo planar imaging [EPI], RF refocusing in rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement [RARE] or using both RF and gradient refocusing in gradient and spin echo imaging [GRASE] using RF refocusing, e.g. RARE
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06T—IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
    • G06T2207/00—Indexing scheme for image analysis or image enhancement
    • G06T2207/10—Image acquisition modality
    • G06T2207/10072—Tomographic images
    • G06T2207/10088—Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06T—IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
    • G06T2207/00—Indexing scheme for image analysis or image enhancement
    • G06T2207/30—Subject of image; Context of image processing
    • G06T2207/30004—Biomedical image processing
    • G06T2207/30016—Brain

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to systems and methods for early identification of neurodegenerative diseases and, more particularly, relates to systems and methods for assessing the risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease, such as Parkinson's Disease, non-invasively, for example, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.
  • MRI magnetic resonance imaging
  • Parkinson's disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders and is clinically characterized by the core symptoms of akinesia, rigidity, tremor, and postural instability. Parkinson's disease is induced by a diverse progressive neurodegeneration, probably ascending through the brain. The key features of PD are mainly caused by a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Clinically, PD primarily manifests itself as a motor system disorder with differing expressions.
  • Atypical Parkinson's Disease (APD) includes multisystem atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), or diffuse Lewy body disease (DLB).
  • PD and APD particularly affect elderly individuals, not only diminish the quality of life of the patients but also strain the finances of health care systems in countries with aging populations.
  • MSA autonomic dysregulation
  • PSP supranuclear gaze palsy
  • CBD apraxia
  • DLB dementia plus hallucinations
  • PD and APD particularly affect elderly individuals, not only diminish the quality of life of the patients but also strain the finances of health care systems in countries with aging populations.
  • a large variety of factors have been studied as possible causes or elicitors in the etiology and pathogenesis of PD.
  • PD can be divided into different subtypes whose variations are a consequence of different patho-biochemical mechanisms and different genetic predispositions.
  • the mechanisms that are responsible for initiating PD are not necessarily responsible for its progression. There are implications that initiation may be due to a genetic predisposition and damage to the blood brain-barrier.
  • the present invention provides a system and method for non-invasively determining a susceptibility indicator for an individual to a neurodegenerative disease, such as Parkinson's disease, and generating a report indicating the susceptibility.
  • the present invention uses MRI to acquire data and create images conveying iron-related changes in the anatomic region of the SN in comparison to healthy controls, especially in the PD patient.
  • a difference in iron storage that influences visualization is assumed, because SN hyperechogenicity can not be demonstrated in the SN of APD on TCS, in which increased iron levels have been detected biochemically.
  • a method of determining a susceptibility of a subject to developing a neurodegenerative disease includes applying at least one pulse sequence to the subject using a magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire at least one medical imaging data set of the subject and reconstructing a T 2 -weighted image and an R 2 -weighted image from the medical imaging data. The method also includes co-registering the T 2 .
  • the method includes calculating an index from the histograms that correlates iron content within the subject to a risk factor indicating the susceptibility of the subject to a neurodegenerative disease.
  • a method for generating a report of susceptibility of a subject to a neurodegenerative disease includes performing at least one pulse sequence using a magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire a medical imaging data set from a region of interest (ROI) in the subject. The method also includes reconstructing maps from the medical imaging data set indicating iron concentrations in the ROI, calculating an index from the maps that correlates the iron concentrations in the ROI to a susceptibility of the subject to a neurodegenerative disease, and generating a report indicating the calculated index.
  • ROI region of interest
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an MRI system that is employed with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an RF system that forms part of the MRI system of Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 3 is a flowchart outlining the process used to acquire and analyze brain iron content data and utilize it to provide a report of a subject's likelihood for having and/or potential for developing a neurodegenerative disease, such as PD.
  • a signal is emitted by the excited nuclei or "spins", after the excitation signal Bi is terminated, and this signal may be received and processed to form an image.
  • magnetic field gradients G x , G y and G 2 .
  • the region to be imaged is scanned by a sequence of measurement cycles in which these gradients vary according to the particular localization method being used.
  • the resulting set of received MR signals are digitized and processed to reconstruct the image using one of many well known reconstruction techniques.
  • the measurement cycle used to acquire each MR signal is performed under the direction of a pulse sequence produced by a pulse sequencer.
  • Clinically available MRI systems store a library of such pulse sequences that can be prescribed to meet the needs of many different clinical applications.
  • Research MRI systems include a library of clinically proven pulse sequences and they also enable the development of new pulse sequences.
  • the MR signals acquired with an MRI system are signal samples of the subject of the examination in Fourier space, or what is often referred to as "k-space".
  • Each MR measurement cycle, or pulse sequence typically samples a portion of k- space along a sampling trajectory characteristic of that pulse sequence.
  • Most pulse sequences sample k-space in a roster scan-like pattern sometimes referred to as a "spin-warp", a “Fourier”, a "rectilinear” or a “Cartesian” scan.
  • the spin-warp scan technique is discussed in an article entitled “Spin-Warp MR Imaging and Applications to Human Whole-Body Imaging" by W.A. Edelstein et al., Physics in Medicine and Biology, Vol. 25, pp.
  • phase encoding magnetic field gradient pulse prior to the acquisition of MR spin-echo signals to phase encode spatial information in the direction of this gradient.
  • 2DFT Two- dimensional implementation
  • spatial information is encoded in one direction by applying a phase encoding gradient (Gy) along that direction, and then a spin-echo signal is acquired in the presence of a readout magnetic field gradient (G x ) in a direction orthogonal to the phase encoding direction.
  • the readout gradient present during the spin-echo acquisition encodes spatial information in the orthogonal direction.
  • the magnitude of the phase encoding gradient pulse G y is incremented ( ⁇ G y ) in the sequence of measurement cycles, or "views" that are acquired during the scan to produce a set of k-space MR data from which an entire image can be reconstructed.
  • the present invention utilizes an MRI system.
  • the MRI system includes a workstation 10 having a display 12 and a keyboard 14.
  • the workstation 10 includes a processor 16 that is a commercially available programmable machine running a commercially available operating system.
  • the workstation 10 provides the operator interface that enables scan prescriptions to be entered into the MRI system.
  • the workstation 10 is coupled to four servers including a pulse sequence server 18, a data acquisition server 20, a data processing server 22, and a data store server 23.
  • the workstation 10 and each server 18, 20, 22 and 23 are connected to communicate with each other.
  • the pulse sequence server 18 functions in response to instructions downloaded from the workstation 10 to operate a gradient system 24 and an RF system 26.
  • Gradient waveforms necessary to perform the prescribed scan are produced and applied to the gradient system 24 that excites gradient coils in an assembly 28 to produce the magnetic field gradients G x , G y and G z used for position encoding MR signals.
  • the gradient coil assembly 28 forms part of a magnet assembly 30 that includes a polarizing magnet 32 and a whole-body RF coil 34.
  • RF excitation waveforms are applied to the RF coil 34 by the RF system 26 to perform the prescribed magnetic resonance pulse sequence. Responsive MR signals detected by the RF coil 34 or a separate local coil (not shown in Fig.
  • the RF system 26 includes an RF transmitter for producing a wide variety of RF pulses used in MR pulse sequences.
  • the RF transmitter is responsive to the scan prescription and direction from the pulse sequence server 18 to produce RF pulses of the desired frequency, phase and pulse amplitude waveform.
  • the generated RF pulses may be applied to the whole body RF coil 34 or to one or more local coils or coil arrays (not shown in Fig. 1).
  • the RF system 26 also includes one or more RF receiver channels.
  • Each RF receiver channel includes an RF amplifier that amplifies the MR signal received by the coil to which it is connected and a detector that detects and digitizes the I and Q quadrature components of the received MR signal.
  • the magnitude of the received MR signal may thus be determined at any sampled point by the square root of the sum of the squares of the I and Q components:
  • the pulse sequence server 18 also optionally receives patient data from a physiological acquisition controller 36.
  • the controller 36 receives signals from a number of different sensors connected to the patient, such as ECG signals from electrodes or respiratory signals from a bellows. Such signals are typically used by the pulse sequence server 18 to synchronize, or "gate", the performance of the scan with the subject's respiration or heart beat.
  • the pulse sequence server 18 also connects to a scan room interface circuit 38 that receives signals from various sensors associated with the condition of the patient and the magnet system. It is also through the scan room interface circuit 38 that a patient positioning system 40 receives commands to move the patient to desired positions during the scan.
  • the digitized MR signal samples produced by the RF system 26 are received by the data acquisition server 20.
  • the data acquisition server 20 operates in response to instructions downloaded from the workstation 10 to receive the realtime MR data and provide buffer storage such that no data is lost by data overrun. In some scans the data acquisition server 20 does little more than pass the acquired MR data to the data processor server 22. However, in scans that require information derived from acquired MR data to control the further performance of the scan, the data acquisition server 20 is programmed to produce such information and convey it to the pulse sequence server 18. For example, during prescans, MR data is acquired and used to calibrate the pulse sequence performed by the pulse sequence server 18.
  • navigator signals may be acquired during a scan and used to adjust RF or gradient system operating parameters or to control the view order in which k- space is sampled.
  • the data acquisition server 20 may be employed to process MR signals used to detect the arrival of contrast agent in an MR angiogram (MRA) scan. In all these examples, the data acquisition server 20 acquires MR data and processes it in real-time to produce information that is used to control the scan.
  • the data processing server 22 receives MR data from the data acquisition server 20 and processes it in accordance with instructions downloaded from the workstation 10.
  • Such processing may include, for example, Fourier transformation of raw k-space MR data to produce two or three-dimensional images, the application of filters to a reconstructed image, the performance of a backprojection image reconstruction of acquired MR data, the calculation of functional MR images, the calculation of motion or flow images, and the like.
  • Images reconstructed by the data processing server 22 are conveyed back to the workstation 10 where they are stored.
  • Real-time images are stored in a data base memory cache (not shown) from which they may be transferred to operator display 12 or a display 42 that is located near the magnet assembly 30 for use by physicians.
  • Batch mode images or selected real time images are stored in a host database on disc storage 44.
  • the data processing server 22 notifies the data store server 23 on the workstation 10.
  • the workstation 10 may be used by an operator to archive the images, produce films, or send the images via a network to other facilities.
  • the RF system 26 may be connected to the whole body RF coil 34, or as shown in Fig.
  • a transmitter section of the RF system 26 may connect to one RF coil 152A and its receiver section may connect to a separate RF receive coil 152B. Often, the transmitter section is connected to the whole body RF coil 34 and each receiver section is connected to a separate local coil 152B.
  • the RF system 26 includes a transmitter that produces a prescribed RF excitation field. The base, or carrier, frequency of this RF excitation field is produced under control of a frequency synthesizer 200 that receives a set of digital signals from the pulse sequence server 18. These digital signals indicate the frequency and phase of the RF carrier signal produced at an output 201.
  • the RF carrier is applied to a modulator and up converter 202 where its amplitude is modulated in response to a signal R(t) also received from the pulse sequence server 18.
  • the signal R(t) defines the envelope of the RF excitation pulse to be produced and is produced by sequentially reading out a series of stored digital values. These stored digital values may be changed to enable any desired RF pulse envelope to be produced.
  • the magnitude of the RF excitation pulse produced at output 205 is attenuated by an exciter attenuator circuit 206 that receives a digital command from the pulse sequence server 18.
  • the attenuated RF excitation pulses are applied to the power amplifier 151 that drives the RF coil 152A.
  • the signal produced by the subject is picked up by the receiver coil 152B and applied through a preamplifier 153 to the input of a receiver attenuator 207.
  • the receiver attenuator 207 further amplifies the signal by an amount determined by a digital attenuation signal received from the pulse sequence server 18.
  • the received signal is at or around the Larmor frequency, and this high frequency signal is down converted in a two step process by a down converter 208 that first mixes the MR signal with the carrier signal on line 201 and then mixes the resulting difference signal with a reference signal on line 204.
  • the down converted MR signal is applied to the input of an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 209 that samples and digitizes the analog signal and applies it to a digital detector and signal processor 210 that produces 16-bit in-phase (I) values and 16-bit quadrature (Q) values corresponding to the received signal.
  • A/D analog-to-digital
  • the resulting stream of digitized I and Q values of the received signal are output to the data acquisition server 20.
  • the reference signal as well as the sampling signal applied to the A/D converter 209 are produced by a reference frequency generator 203.
  • a process for acquiring and analyzing brain iron data to diagnose a neurodegenerative disease begins 310 with preparatory steps that prepare a patient or brain sample for imaging, as outlined in process block 312. This may include positioning a patient optimally within an MR imaging device and adding a local head coil apparatus. In the present method, this step may also performed for brain specimens or brain hemisphere specimens.
  • the brain specimens are prepared by placing the brain specimens into a specialized container that is formed of multiple, leak-proven, plastic containers filled with saline solution. This container aids with fixation of the brain tissue and prevents contamination of the scanner.
  • the container is placed and secured within a local head coil that is attached to the scanner bed. The container is then moved to an optimal position within the head coil and landmarks for the scanning center are placed with a laser demarcation while moving the scanner bed into the scanner.
  • the patient or brain sample undergoes a localization process at block 314 and, at decision block 315, a check is made to determine if the patient or brain sample is correctly positioned. If scanning was performed at a suboptimal position, the preparatory process at block 312 may be performed again and the patient or brain specimen may be repositioned to a better angle.
  • initial data acquisition is performed, as indicated at process block 316.
  • the initial data acquisition steps may employ a turbo spin-echo (TSE) pulse sequence and a 3D-T1 weighted pulse sequence.
  • TSE turbo spin-echo
  • the TSE pulse sequence may have a echo time (TE) of 18, 98, and 160 ms, a repetition time (TR) of 6800 ms to acquire 30 slices at a slice thickness of 2 mm and a gap of 0.5 mm. To do so, a 256 by 256 matrix is used with a field of view (FOV) of 23 mm.
  • TE echo time
  • TR repetition time
  • FOV field of view
  • subsequent data acquisitions may be performed at process block 318. These subsequent data acquisitions may utilize data acquired in the initial data acquisition steps at process block 316.
  • two slice locations in the midbrain and one slice location in the basal ganglia are selected by visual inspection of the TSE sequence and the parameters are copied to the gradient recalled echo (GRE) and multiple spin-echo (MSE) pulse sequences. It is contemplated that this selection may be done by visual inspection or by software analysis. If visually inspected, the quality of the TSE imaging acquisition may be reviewed simultaneously. In one exemplary process, six sequences may be used. In addition, it should be noted that additional or alternative pulse sequences may be utilized, such as variations of the GRE or MSE pulse sequences or other pulse sequences.
  • the patient or brain specimen is removed from the scanner and the acquired data is stored at process block 320.
  • the data acquired during each of the pulse sequence are stored on a server and/or on a portable data storage device, such as CD or DVD.
  • the stored data for each pulse sequence are then preprocessed, at process block 322, in preparation for subsequent analysis. In particular, this may include loading the three dimensional MR-data in the DICOM format, interpolating the data to a decreased pixel size, calculating the T 2 and R 2 values of the data, and saving the preprocessed data in a desired format.
  • the preprocessed data is reconstructed.
  • the reconstructed images are indicative of the T 2 and R 2 values.
  • a software package such as AIDA, which is a Mat Lab based software program built by available from Prof. Uwe Klose from the University Hospital Tuebingen, Germany.
  • the reconstructed images undergo a designation and processing step at process block 326.
  • volumes of interest VOIs
  • VOIs volumes of interest
  • a number of visualization tools may be utilized at process block 326.
  • an interactive dynamic interface may be utilized to define the VOIs in the T 2 and R 2 images. Such selection may be performed by selecting points along a surface of the VOI in several slices. Different VOIs may be characterized by different colors.
  • the VOIs and identified regions of interest (ROIs) are then saved in coregistered files so that data acquired during different pulse sequences may be overlapped.
  • the coregistered image data is evaluated at process block 328. Specifically, histograms of T 2 values from the coregistered VOI files are produced and evaluated by comparing the histograms to a priori histograms that are, for example, from subjects having known risk factors for PD.
  • an index is calculated for the histograms that correlates brain iron content with susceptibility to a neurodegenerative disease, for example, PD. Hence, the index indicates a risk or susceptibility of the subject to, for example, PD.
  • this index is therefore provided as a report that is useful in determining an assessment of the patient's risk of developing, for example, PD or Parkinsonism and the process ends 334.
  • this report may take a variety of forms.
  • the report may include a statistical indicator, such as a metric and associated scale.
  • the report may include the reconstructed images along with color codes or other such indicators associated with the images to provide spatial information correlated with the indicators of the individual's susceptibility to a given neurodegenerative disease [0039]
  • the present invention has been described in terms of one or more preferred embodiments, and it should be appreciated that many equivalents, alternatives, variations, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the invention.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Neurology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Developmental Disabilities (AREA)
  • Physiology (AREA)
  • Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
  • Probability & Statistics with Applications (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

A system and method for determining a likelihood of susceptibility of a subject to a neurodegenerative disease includes applying at least one pulse sequence to the subject using a magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire at least one medical imaging data set. The method also includes reconstructing a T2.weighted image and an R2-weighted image from the medical imaging data, co-registering the T2.weighted image and the R2-weighted image, and comparing histograms of T2 values from the co-registered images with a priori histograms of T2 values. In addition, the method includes calculating an index and generating a report from the histograms that correlates iron content within the subject to a risk factor indicating the susceptibility of the subject to a neurodegenerative disease.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING THE POTENTIAL FOR AND THE PRESENCE OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES USING MAGNETIC
RESONANCE IMAGING
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on, claims the benefit of, and herein incorporates by reference in its entirety, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/108,677 filed on October 27, 2008, and entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
IDENTIFYING THE POTENTIAL FOR AND THE PRESENCE OF
NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE
IMAGING."
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for early identification of neurodegenerative diseases and, more particularly, relates to systems and methods for assessing the risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease, such as Parkinson's Disease, non-invasively, for example, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders and is clinically characterized by the core symptoms of akinesia, rigidity, tremor, and postural instability. Parkinson's disease is induced by a diverse progressive neurodegeneration, probably ascending through the brain. The key features of PD are mainly caused by a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Clinically, PD primarily manifests itself as a motor system disorder with differing expressions. Atypical Parkinson's Disease (APD) includes multisystem atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), or diffuse Lewy body disease (DLB). It is characterized by more rapid progression of the disease, a worse L-Dopa response, and additional symptoms that may include autonomic dysregulation (MSA), supranuclear gaze palsy (PSP), apraxia (CBD), and dementia plus hallucinations (DLB). Since PD and APD particularly affect elderly individuals, not only diminish the quality of life of the patients but also strain the finances of health care systems in countries with aging populations. A large variety of factors have been studied as possible causes or elicitors in the etiology and pathogenesis of PD. PD can be divided into different subtypes whose variations are a consequence of different patho-biochemical mechanisms and different genetic predispositions. Moreover, the mechanisms that are responsible for initiating PD are not necessarily responsible for its progression. There are implications that initiation may be due to a genetic predisposition and damage to the blood brain-barrier.
[0004] One factor contributing to the neurodegenerative cascade in PD is an elevated iron content that enhances cellular oxidative stress. Although it is not known whether increased iron levels constitute a primary or secondary phenomenon in the disease process, it is known from biochemical investigations that there is an increase in tissue iron level in the SN.
[0005] Given the serious consequences of neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson's disease, and their prevalence, particularly among aging societies, it would be desirable to develop a method for early diagnosis of such conditions using non-invasive techniques.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a system and method for non-invasively determining a susceptibility indicator for an individual to a neurodegenerative disease, such as Parkinson's disease, and generating a report indicating the susceptibility. In particular, the present invention uses MRI to acquire data and create images conveying iron-related changes in the anatomic region of the SN in comparison to healthy controls, especially in the PD patient. A difference in iron storage that influences visualization is assumed, because SN hyperechogenicity can not be demonstrated in the SN of APD on TCS, in which increased iron levels have been detected biochemically. In this respect, the correlation of an increased SN echogenicity and increased levels of free iron, but not of iron bound to ferritin, provides a quantifiable basis for the early diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease using MRI and a sophisticated analysis of the acquired images to detect these change. [0007] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method of determining a susceptibility of a subject to developing a neurodegenerative disease is disclosed. The method includes applying at least one pulse sequence to the subject using a magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire at least one medical imaging data set of the subject and reconstructing a T2-weighted image and an R2-weighted image from the medical imaging data. The method also includes co-registering the T2. weighted image and the R2-weighted image and comparing histograms of T2 values from the co-registered images with a priori histograms of T2 values. In addition, the method includes calculating an index from the histograms that correlates iron content within the subject to a risk factor indicating the susceptibility of the subject to a neurodegenerative disease.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for generating a report of susceptibility of a subject to a neurodegenerative disease includes performing at least one pulse sequence using a magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire a medical imaging data set from a region of interest (ROI) in the subject. The method also includes reconstructing maps from the medical imaging data set indicating iron concentrations in the ROI, calculating an index from the maps that correlates the iron concentrations in the ROI to a susceptibility of the subject to a neurodegenerative disease, and generating a report indicating the calculated index.
[0009] Various other features of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an MRI system that is employed with the present invention;
[0011] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an RF system that forms part of the MRI system of Fig. 1 ; and
[0012] Fig. 3 is a flowchart outlining the process used to acquire and analyze brain iron content data and utilize it to provide a report of a subject's likelihood for having and/or potential for developing a neurodegenerative disease, such as PD.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] When a substance such as human tissue is subjected to a uniform magnetic field (polarizing field B0), the individual magnetic moments of the excited nuclei in the tissue attempt to align with this polarizing field, but precess about it in random order at their characteristic Larmor frequency. If the substance, or tissue, is subjected to a magnetic field (excitation field Bi) that is in the x-y plane and that is near the Larmor frequency, the net aligned moment, Mz, may be rotated, or "tipped", into the x-y plane to produce a net transverse magnetic moment Mt. A signal is emitted by the excited nuclei or "spins", after the excitation signal Bi is terminated, and this signal may be received and processed to form an image. [0014] When utilizing these MR signals to produce images, magnetic field gradients (Gx, Gy and G2) are employed. Typically, the region to be imaged is scanned by a sequence of measurement cycles in which these gradients vary according to the particular localization method being used. The resulting set of received MR signals are digitized and processed to reconstruct the image using one of many well known reconstruction techniques.
[0015] The measurement cycle used to acquire each MR signal is performed under the direction of a pulse sequence produced by a pulse sequencer. Clinically available MRI systems store a library of such pulse sequences that can be prescribed to meet the needs of many different clinical applications. Research MRI systems include a library of clinically proven pulse sequences and they also enable the development of new pulse sequences.
[0016] The MR signals acquired with an MRI system are signal samples of the subject of the examination in Fourier space, or what is often referred to as "k-space". Each MR measurement cycle, or pulse sequence, typically samples a portion of k- space along a sampling trajectory characteristic of that pulse sequence. Most pulse sequences sample k-space in a roster scan-like pattern sometimes referred to as a "spin-warp", a "Fourier", a "rectilinear" or a "Cartesian" scan. The spin-warp scan technique is discussed in an article entitled "Spin-Warp MR Imaging and Applications to Human Whole-Body Imaging" by W.A. Edelstein et al., Physics in Medicine and Biology, Vol. 25, pp. 751-756 (1980). It employs a variable amplitude phase encoding magnetic field gradient pulse prior to the acquisition of MR spin-echo signals to phase encode spatial information in the direction of this gradient. In a two- dimensional implementation (Two Dimensional Fourier Transformation or 2DFT), for example, spatial information is encoded in one direction by applying a phase encoding gradient (Gy) along that direction, and then a spin-echo signal is acquired in the presence of a readout magnetic field gradient (Gx) in a direction orthogonal to the phase encoding direction. The readout gradient present during the spin-echo acquisition encodes spatial information in the orthogonal direction. In a typical 2DFT pulse sequence, the magnitude of the phase encoding gradient pulse Gy is incremented (ΔGy) in the sequence of measurement cycles, or "views" that are acquired during the scan to produce a set of k-space MR data from which an entire image can be reconstructed.
[0017] Referring to Fig. 1 , the present invention utilizes an MRI system. The MRI system includes a workstation 10 having a display 12 and a keyboard 14. The workstation 10 includes a processor 16 that is a commercially available programmable machine running a commercially available operating system. The workstation 10 provides the operator interface that enables scan prescriptions to be entered into the MRI system. The workstation 10 is coupled to four servers including a pulse sequence server 18, a data acquisition server 20, a data processing server 22, and a data store server 23. The workstation 10 and each server 18, 20, 22 and 23 are connected to communicate with each other.
[0018] The pulse sequence server 18 functions in response to instructions downloaded from the workstation 10 to operate a gradient system 24 and an RF system 26. Gradient waveforms necessary to perform the prescribed scan are produced and applied to the gradient system 24 that excites gradient coils in an assembly 28 to produce the magnetic field gradients Gx, Gy and Gz used for position encoding MR signals. The gradient coil assembly 28 forms part of a magnet assembly 30 that includes a polarizing magnet 32 and a whole-body RF coil 34. [0019] RF excitation waveforms are applied to the RF coil 34 by the RF system 26 to perform the prescribed magnetic resonance pulse sequence. Responsive MR signals detected by the RF coil 34 or a separate local coil (not shown in Fig. 1) are received by the RF system 26, amplified, demodulated, filtered, and digitized under direction of commands produced by the pulse sequence server 18. The RF system 26 includes an RF transmitter for producing a wide variety of RF pulses used in MR pulse sequences. The RF transmitter is responsive to the scan prescription and direction from the pulse sequence server 18 to produce RF pulses of the desired frequency, phase and pulse amplitude waveform. The generated RF pulses may be applied to the whole body RF coil 34 or to one or more local coils or coil arrays (not shown in Fig. 1).
[0020] The RF system 26 also includes one or more RF receiver channels. Each RF receiver channel includes an RF amplifier that amplifies the MR signal received by the coil to which it is connected and a detector that detects and digitizes the I and Q quadrature components of the received MR signal. The magnitude of the received MR signal may thus be determined at any sampled point by the square root of the sum of the squares of the I and Q components:
M = VI2 +Q2> and the phase of the received MR signal may also be determined: φ = tan'1 QfI.
[0021] The pulse sequence server 18 also optionally receives patient data from a physiological acquisition controller 36. The controller 36 receives signals from a number of different sensors connected to the patient, such as ECG signals from electrodes or respiratory signals from a bellows. Such signals are typically used by the pulse sequence server 18 to synchronize, or "gate", the performance of the scan with the subject's respiration or heart beat.
[0022] The pulse sequence server 18 also connects to a scan room interface circuit 38 that receives signals from various sensors associated with the condition of the patient and the magnet system. It is also through the scan room interface circuit 38 that a patient positioning system 40 receives commands to move the patient to desired positions during the scan.
[0023] The digitized MR signal samples produced by the RF system 26 are received by the data acquisition server 20. The data acquisition server 20 operates in response to instructions downloaded from the workstation 10 to receive the realtime MR data and provide buffer storage such that no data is lost by data overrun. In some scans the data acquisition server 20 does little more than pass the acquired MR data to the data processor server 22. However, in scans that require information derived from acquired MR data to control the further performance of the scan, the data acquisition server 20 is programmed to produce such information and convey it to the pulse sequence server 18. For example, during prescans, MR data is acquired and used to calibrate the pulse sequence performed by the pulse sequence server 18. Also, navigator signals may be acquired during a scan and used to adjust RF or gradient system operating parameters or to control the view order in which k- space is sampled. The data acquisition server 20 may be employed to process MR signals used to detect the arrival of contrast agent in an MR angiogram (MRA) scan. In all these examples, the data acquisition server 20 acquires MR data and processes it in real-time to produce information that is used to control the scan. [0024] The data processing server 22 receives MR data from the data acquisition server 20 and processes it in accordance with instructions downloaded from the workstation 10. Such processing may include, for example, Fourier transformation of raw k-space MR data to produce two or three-dimensional images, the application of filters to a reconstructed image, the performance of a backprojection image reconstruction of acquired MR data, the calculation of functional MR images, the calculation of motion or flow images, and the like.
[0025] Images reconstructed by the data processing server 22 are conveyed back to the workstation 10 where they are stored. Real-time images are stored in a data base memory cache (not shown) from which they may be transferred to operator display 12 or a display 42 that is located near the magnet assembly 30 for use by physicians. Batch mode images or selected real time images are stored in a host database on disc storage 44. When such images have been reconstructed and transferred to storage, the data processing server 22 notifies the data store server 23 on the workstation 10. The workstation 10 may be used by an operator to archive the images, produce films, or send the images via a network to other facilities. [0026] As shown in Fig. 1, the RF system 26 may be connected to the whole body RF coil 34, or as shown in Fig. 2, a transmitter section of the RF system 26 may connect to one RF coil 152A and its receiver section may connect to a separate RF receive coil 152B. Often, the transmitter section is connected to the whole body RF coil 34 and each receiver section is connected to a separate local coil 152B. [0027] Referring particularly to Fig. 2, the RF system 26 includes a transmitter that produces a prescribed RF excitation field. The base, or carrier, frequency of this RF excitation field is produced under control of a frequency synthesizer 200 that receives a set of digital signals from the pulse sequence server 18. These digital signals indicate the frequency and phase of the RF carrier signal produced at an output 201. The RF carrier is applied to a modulator and up converter 202 where its amplitude is modulated in response to a signal R(t) also received from the pulse sequence server 18. The signal R(t) defines the envelope of the RF excitation pulse to be produced and is produced by sequentially reading out a series of stored digital values. These stored digital values may be changed to enable any desired RF pulse envelope to be produced.
[0028] The magnitude of the RF excitation pulse produced at output 205 is attenuated by an exciter attenuator circuit 206 that receives a digital command from the pulse sequence server 18. The attenuated RF excitation pulses are applied to the power amplifier 151 that drives the RF coil 152A.
[0029] Referring still to Fig. 2 the signal produced by the subject is picked up by the receiver coil 152B and applied through a preamplifier 153 to the input of a receiver attenuator 207. The receiver attenuator 207 further amplifies the signal by an amount determined by a digital attenuation signal received from the pulse sequence server 18. The received signal is at or around the Larmor frequency, and this high frequency signal is down converted in a two step process by a down converter 208 that first mixes the MR signal with the carrier signal on line 201 and then mixes the resulting difference signal with a reference signal on line 204. The down converted MR signal is applied to the input of an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 209 that samples and digitizes the analog signal and applies it to a digital detector and signal processor 210 that produces 16-bit in-phase (I) values and 16-bit quadrature (Q) values corresponding to the received signal. The resulting stream of digitized I and Q values of the received signal are output to the data acquisition server 20. The reference signal as well as the sampling signal applied to the A/D converter 209 are produced by a reference frequency generator 203. [0030] Referring now to Fig. 3, a process for acquiring and analyzing brain iron data to diagnose a neurodegenerative disease, such as Parkinson's disease, begins 310 with preparatory steps that prepare a patient or brain sample for imaging, as outlined in process block 312. This may include positioning a patient optimally within an MR imaging device and adding a local head coil apparatus. In the present method, this step may also performed for brain specimens or brain hemisphere specimens. In this case, the brain specimens are prepared by placing the brain specimens into a specialized container that is formed of multiple, leak-proven, plastic containers filled with saline solution. This container aids with fixation of the brain tissue and prevents contamination of the scanner. The container is placed and secured within a local head coil that is attached to the scanner bed. The container is then moved to an optimal position within the head coil and landmarks for the scanning center are placed with a laser demarcation while moving the scanner bed into the scanner.
[0031] Following the preparatory process at block 312, the patient or brain sample undergoes a localization process at block 314 and, at decision block 315, a check is made to determine if the patient or brain sample is correctly positioned. If scanning was performed at a suboptimal position, the preparatory process at block 312 may be performed again and the patient or brain specimen may be repositioned to a better angle.
[0032] Once localization leads to proper subject positioning, initial data acquisition is performed, as indicated at process block 316. It is contemplated that the initial data acquisition steps may employ a turbo spin-echo (TSE) pulse sequence and a 3D-T1 weighted pulse sequence. In this case, the data set acquired by the 3D-T1 pulse sequence is adjusted to the position and size of the brain. The TSE pulse sequence, for example, may have a echo time (TE) of 18, 98, and 160 ms, a repetition time (TR) of 6800 ms to acquire 30 slices at a slice thickness of 2 mm and a gap of 0.5 mm. To do so, a 256 by 256 matrix is used with a field of view (FOV) of 23 mm.
[0033] Following the initial data acquisition, subsequent data acquisitions may be performed at process block 318. These subsequent data acquisitions may utilize data acquired in the initial data acquisition steps at process block 316. In the present method, two slice locations in the midbrain and one slice location in the basal ganglia are selected by visual inspection of the TSE sequence and the parameters are copied to the gradient recalled echo (GRE) and multiple spin-echo (MSE) pulse sequences. It is contemplated that this selection may be done by visual inspection or by software analysis. If visually inspected, the quality of the TSE imaging acquisition may be reviewed simultaneously. In one exemplary process, six sequences may be used. In addition, it should be noted that additional or alternative pulse sequences may be utilized, such as variations of the GRE or MSE pulse sequences or other pulse sequences.
[0034] After data is acquired at process bock 316 and 318, the patient or brain specimen is removed from the scanner and the acquired data is stored at process block 320. Specifically, the data acquired during each of the pulse sequence are stored on a server and/or on a portable data storage device, such as CD or DVD. [0035] The stored data for each pulse sequence are then preprocessed, at process block 322, in preparation for subsequent analysis. In particular, this may include loading the three dimensional MR-data in the DICOM format, interpolating the data to a decreased pixel size, calculating the T2 and R2 values of the data, and saving the preprocessed data in a desired format.
[0036] At process block 324, the preprocessed data is reconstructed. Preferably, the reconstructed images are indicative of the T2 and R2 values. To aid in this process, it is contemplated that a software package, such as AIDA, which is a Mat Lab based software program built by available from Prof. Uwe Klose from the University Hospital Tuebingen, Germany.
[0037] The reconstructed images undergo a designation and processing step at process block 326. In particular, volumes of interest (VOIs) are selected from prepared T2 and R2 images and compared with previously defined VOIs. It is contemplated that a number of visualization tools may be utilized at process block 326. For example, an interactive dynamic interface may be utilized to define the VOIs in the T2 and R2 images. Such selection may be performed by selecting points along a surface of the VOI in several slices. Different VOIs may be characterized by different colors. The VOIs and identified regions of interest (ROIs) are then saved in coregistered files so that data acquired during different pulse sequences may be overlapped.
[0038] The coregistered image data is evaluated at process block 328. Specifically, histograms of T2 values from the coregistered VOI files are produced and evaluated by comparing the histograms to a priori histograms that are, for example, from subjects having known risk factors for PD. At process block 330, an index is calculated for the histograms that correlates brain iron content with susceptibility to a neurodegenerative disease, for example, PD. Hence, the index indicates a risk or susceptibility of the subject to, for example, PD. At process block 332, this index is therefore provided as a report that is useful in determining an assessment of the patient's risk of developing, for example, PD or Parkinsonism and the process ends 334. It is contemplated that this report may take a variety of forms. For example, the report may include a statistical indicator, such as a metric and associated scale. Additionally or alternatively, the report may include the reconstructed images along with color codes or other such indicators associated with the images to provide spatial information correlated with the indicators of the individual's susceptibility to a given neurodegenerative disease [0039] The present invention has been described in terms of one or more preferred embodiments, and it should be appreciated that many equivalents, alternatives, variations, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims
1. A method for generating a report of susceptibility of a subject to a neurodegenerative disease, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) performing at least one pulse sequence using a magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire a medical imaging data set from the subject with T2 weighting;
(b) reconstructing T2 maps and R2 maps from the medical imaging data set;
(c) comparing histograms of T2 values from the T2 maps and R2 maps with a basis set of histograms of T2 values;
(d) calculating an index from the comparison of step (c) that correlates the T2 values from the T2 maps and R2 maps to determine the susceptibility of the subject to a neurodegenerative disease; and
(e) generating a report indicating the calculated index.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the neurodegenerative disease includes Parkinson's disease.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes reconstructing images of the subject indicating iron content within the subject.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein step (c) includes coregistering the images of the subject with images of a control group related to the basis set.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the control group is formed of individuals known to be free of neurodegenerative diseases.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the control group is formed of individuals having a known susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases.
7. The method of claim 4 wherein the control group is formed of individuals having a neurodegenerative disease.
8. The method of claim 3 wherein the images include information about the subject's substantia nigra (SN).
9. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes performing at least one of a turbo spin-echo (TSE) pulse sequence and a 3D-T1 weighted pulse sequence.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes acquiring data from at least two slice locations in a midbrain of the subject.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes performing at least one of a TSE pulse sequence, gradient recalled echo (GRE) pulse sequence, and multiple spin-echo (MSE) pulse sequence to acquire data from a basal ganglia of the subject.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the report includes an image reconstructed from the acquired medical imaging data set and indicating at least one of the calculated index and the determined susceptibility of the subject to a neurodegenerative disease.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the report includes an image reconstructed from the acquired medical imaging data set and indicates iron-related changes thereon.
14. A method for generating a report of susceptibility of a subject to a neurodegenerative disease, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) performing at least one pulse sequence using a magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire a medical imaging data set from a region of interest (ROI) in the subject;
(b) reconstructing maps from the medical imaging data set indicating iron concentrations in the ROI;
(c) calculating an index from the maps that correlates the iron concentrations in the ROI to a susceptibility of the subject to a neurodegenerative disease; and
(e) generating a report indicating the calculated index.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein step (b) includes reconstructing T2 maps and R2 maps from the medical imaging data set and step (c) includes comparing histograms of T2 values from the T2 maps and R2 maps with a basis set of histograms of T2 values and calculating an index from the comparison that correlates the T2 values from the T2 maps and R2 maps to determine the susceptibility of the subject to a neurodegenerative disease.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein step (c) includes coregistering the maps with maps of a control group.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein step (c) further includes determining iron-related changes in ROI in comparison to the control group.
18. The method of claim 14 wherein the index is based on a correlation of an increased substantia nigra (SN) echogenicity and increased levels of free iron.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the index does not consider iron bound to ferritin.
20. The method of claim 14 wherein the report includes an image reconstructed from the acquired medical imaging data set and indicating at least one of the calculated index and the determined susceptibility of the subject to a neurodegenerative disease.
PCT/US2009/062173 2008-10-27 2009-10-27 System and method for identifying the potential for and the presence of neurodegenerative diseases using magnetic resonance imaging WO2010051267A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10867708P 2008-10-27 2008-10-27
US61/108,677 2008-10-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010051267A1 true WO2010051267A1 (en) 2010-05-06

Family

ID=42129225

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2009/062173 WO2010051267A1 (en) 2008-10-27 2009-10-27 System and method for identifying the potential for and the presence of neurodegenerative diseases using magnetic resonance imaging

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2010051267A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITVI20100327A1 (en) * 2010-12-02 2012-06-03 Massimo Midiri METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYSIS OF IRON CONTENT IN AN ORGAN BELONGING TO A BIOLOGICAL ORGANISM
WO2013036607A3 (en) * 2011-09-06 2013-05-02 University Of Florida Research Foundation, Inc. Systems and methods for detecting the presence of anomalous material within tissue
EP2709061A1 (en) 2012-09-12 2014-03-19 Virtual Proteins B.V. System and method for 3D visualization of brain iron deposition
CN109561852A (en) * 2017-04-04 2019-04-02 李昡燮 The magic magiscan and method determined for the diagnosis of personalized customization cerebral disease and state

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6430430B1 (en) * 1999-04-29 2002-08-06 University Of South Florida Method and system for knowledge guided hyperintensity detection and volumetric measurement
US6603989B1 (en) * 2000-03-21 2003-08-05 Dmitriy A. Yablonskiy T2 contrast in magnetic resonance imaging with gradient echoes
US20040102692A1 (en) * 2002-11-27 2004-05-27 General Electric Company Magnetic resonance imaging system and methods for the detection of brain iron deposits

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6430430B1 (en) * 1999-04-29 2002-08-06 University Of South Florida Method and system for knowledge guided hyperintensity detection and volumetric measurement
US6603989B1 (en) * 2000-03-21 2003-08-05 Dmitriy A. Yablonskiy T2 contrast in magnetic resonance imaging with gradient echoes
US20040102692A1 (en) * 2002-11-27 2004-05-27 General Electric Company Magnetic resonance imaging system and methods for the detection of brain iron deposits

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITVI20100327A1 (en) * 2010-12-02 2012-06-03 Massimo Midiri METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYSIS OF IRON CONTENT IN AN ORGAN BELONGING TO A BIOLOGICAL ORGANISM
WO2013036607A3 (en) * 2011-09-06 2013-05-02 University Of Florida Research Foundation, Inc. Systems and methods for detecting the presence of anomalous material within tissue
US9767552B2 (en) 2011-09-06 2017-09-19 University Of Florida Research Foundation Systems and methods for detecting the presence of anomalous material within tissue
EP2709061A1 (en) 2012-09-12 2014-03-19 Virtual Proteins B.V. System and method for 3D visualization of brain iron deposition
WO2014041084A1 (en) 2012-09-12 2014-03-20 Virtual Proteins Bv System and method for 3d visualization of brain iron deposition
CN109561852A (en) * 2017-04-04 2019-04-02 李昡燮 The magic magiscan and method determined for the diagnosis of personalized customization cerebral disease and state
CN109561852B (en) * 2017-04-04 2022-09-06 李昡燮 Medical image processing system and method for personalized customized diagnosis and status determination of brain diseases

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9213074B2 (en) Stem and method for acquiring MRI data from bone and soft tissues
US7511494B2 (en) Method for measuring the microarchitecture of complex tissue with MRI
US7265547B2 (en) Method and apparatus for acquiring MR data with a segmented multi-shot radial fan beam encoding order
US9271661B2 (en) Method for free-breathing magnetic resonance imaging using iterative image-based respiratory motion correction
US7602179B2 (en) System and method for multi-echo bandwidth match imaging
US11373392B2 (en) System and method for magnetic resonance fingerprinting using a plurality of pulse sequence types
US20080275329A1 (en) Diffusion weighted preparatory sequence for magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence
US8433392B2 (en) System and method for moving table MRI
WO2006014260A2 (en) Magnetic resonance imaging of amyloid plaque
US20190353730A1 (en) System and method for generating a magnetic resonance fingerprinting dictionary using semi-supervised learning
US10451700B2 (en) System and method for reducing partial voluming artifacts in quantitative myocardial tissue characterization
US8918159B2 (en) System and method for improved accelerated magnetic resonance imaging using ROI masking
US11313931B2 (en) System and method for quantifying T1, T2 and resonance frequency using rosette trajectory acquisition and read segmented reconstruction
US8659294B2 (en) Method for acquiring dynamic motion images to guide functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis of motor tasks
US10459055B2 (en) System and method for reduced field of view MR fingerprinting for parametric mapping
WO2010051267A1 (en) System and method for identifying the potential for and the presence of neurodegenerative diseases using magnetic resonance imaging
US11131733B2 (en) System and method for magnetic resonance fingerprinting with non-locally sequential sampling of k-space
US8838204B2 (en) System and method for phase contrast imaging with improved efficiency
US20110194746A1 (en) Method for Time-of-Arrival Mapping in Magnetic Resonance Imaging
US20120299590A1 (en) Method for Self-Calibrated Parallel Magnetic Resonance Image Reconstruction
CN110709721B (en) System and method for simultaneous multi-slice magnetic resonance fingerprint imaging using parallel transmit radio frequency coil arrays
US10877121B2 (en) System and method for magnetic resonance fingerprinting with reduced acoustic noise
US20190353738A1 (en) System and Method for Texture Analysis in Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (MRF)
US11768264B2 (en) System and method for magnetic resonance fingerprinting with relaxation and diffusion data acquisition
CN108363027B (en) Method for acquiring diagnostic measurement data of a heart and for examining a heart, and magnetic resonance system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 09824062

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 09824062

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1