Plus-minus CrCEST provides higher temporal resolution mapping of skeletal muscular creatine

Motivation: CrCEST MRI is valuable for mapping creatine recovery in muscle but has lower temporal resolution than the gold-standard 31P-MRS, leading to discrepancies in recovery time measurements. Goal(s): To improve CrCEST temporal resolution and reduce discrepancies in ΤCrCEST values with 31P-MRS Approach: A 26-year-old subject's calf muscles were scanned using the traditional CrCEST and the proposed Plus-Minus CrCEST approach, which uses ±1.8 ppm saturation frequency offsets to achieve faster imaging. Results: Plus-Minus CrCEST increased temporal resolution threefold, halved ΤCrCEST values, and aligned closely with 31P-MRS measurements, suggesting enhanced applicability in metabolic studies. Impact: The Plus-Minus CrCEST approach achieves a threefold increase in temporal resolution for creatine recovery mapping in skeletal muscle, aligning ΤCrCEST values with 31P-MRS and broadening CrCEST's potential for advanced metabolic and physiological research applications.