Sequence optimization for saturation transfer MR fingerprinting

An optimal saturation transfer MR fingerprinting (ST-MRF) acquisition schedule is critical for efficient and accurate tissue parameter mapping. To optimize RF saturation-encoded MRF acquisitions to a minimal number of saturation scan parameters for magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) and chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) parameter determination, we developed an optimization framework using a support vector regression-recursive feature elimination (SVR-RFE) method. Bloch simulations and in vivo studies showed that the proposed optimization method outperformed the quantification accuracy compared to existing methods. The SVR-RFE-based optimization method allowed us to reduce scan time by ~50% without sacrificing reconstruction accuracy.