Quantification of APT and NOE(-3.5) using chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI with double saturation powers (DSP-CEST)

In this study, we proposed a new data-postprocessing method to specifically quantify the APT and NOE effects based on two canonical CEST MRI acquisitions with double saturation powers (DSP). First, Numerical simulations based on Bloch equations is used to demonstrate that the proposed method can detect the APT and NOE effects with a removal of background signals from the direct water saturation (DS) and the semi-solid magnetization transfer (MT) and the CEST signals that originate from the fast-exchange pools. Then, an in vivo validation of the proposed method is conducted using an animal tumor model at a 4.7-T scanner.