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The on-going development of MRI technology is crucial to improving the treatment of major diseases.

Dr Danielle Graveron-Demilly explains how the FAST project is moving Magnetic Resonance
Spectroscopy (MRS) research towards the non-invasive, in-vivo assessment of metabolic content

Magnetic Resonance
Spectroscopic Imaging
Although a relatively new technique,
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has
rapidly grown in importance since the
first image was published in 1973, to a
point where it is now a central element in
radiology and a widely used technique in
hospitals and medical centres across the
world. MRI scans allow medical
professionals to visualise anatomy in
living tissue by using the signal of water
while weighting the image with physical
processes provides a view of phenomena
like brain activity, etc. Whilst these
benefits enable many important advances,
biochemical processes need to be
monitored too. This is where MRS comes
in. Unlike MRI, MRS can detect
biochemistry, which makes it unique. MRI
detects only water – ubiquitous in living
tissue – and fat. MRS imaging (MRSI)
MRSI of a low grade oligodendroglioma © Nijmegen
combines MRS and MRI. Thus, MRSI
scans provide an image of biochemistry
in living tissue by using signals from of paving the way to real-time MRSI scans, modern radiology. The immediate
organic molecules; not only does this something which will bring significant consequence is that the signal-to-noise
allow the direct reporting of events at benefits to medical professionals. It is now ratio of metabolite signals is low, which in
molecular level, but it also enables the widely acknowledged that MRSI has great turn means that the time it takes to
non-invasive in-vivo-detection and potential in terms of improving the acquire an MRSI scan is correspondingly
imaging of disease biomarkers – also diagnosis of major diseases such as cancer, long – about ten minutes. Nor is this the
known as metabolites. As such, European Alzheimer’s and diabetes, as well as in only important consideration for the FAST
researchers are working to develop the monitoring therapy and drug follow-up. project, as the fact that the resulting
next generation of medical imaging Nevertheless, much work remains to be metabolic images have low spatial
techniques in line with modern health done before it is established as a routine resolution (typically 20 x 20 voxels) also
priorities, work in which the FAST project clinical tool, largely because the needs to be addressed. Well aware of the
(Advanced Signal Processing for Ultra- concentration of metabolites in living far-reaching implications of its work, the
Fast Magnetic Resonance, and Training), tissue is at least several thousand times FAST project has thus developed a
a Marie Curie-funded initiative lower than the concentration of water in comprehensive approach designed to
coordinated at the University of Lyon in living tissue. address all of the major issues surrounding
France, is playing a key role. MRSI, and to ensure it responds to the
Working in the emerging field of The potential of MRSI needs of modern medicine by providing
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic The low concentration of metabolites is an doctors with the kind of comprehensive,
Imaging (MRSI), the project brings issue that represents a significant obstacle accurate and effective imaging they need
together academic and industrial partners to MRSI’s prospects of eventually to advance medical treatment – preferably
from across Europe with the overall goal establishing itself as integral part of in real-time.

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The FAST approach Working in a complex, technically At a glance
FAST includes both using and demanding area like spectroscopic
developing the kind of advanced imaging, the project’s work involves Full Project Title
techniques that can lead to major research across a wide range of areas, Advanced Signal-Processing for Ultra-
breakthroughs. Magnetic field strengths including some which may surprise those Fast Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic
as high as 14T for pre-clinical (animals) unfamiliar with imaging. At first glance Imaging, and Training (FAST)
and 7T for clinical (humans) studies, FAST’s work to develop a Virtual Scanner
enable FAST’s researchers to establish might seem to fall into this category, yet Project Partners
new detection limits for in-vivo closer inspection reveals it to be an integral • Dr Graveron-Demilly, Coordinator, Université
spectroscopy, not only in terms of part of the project’s work, and one which Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (France) / • Prof. S.
spatial resolution and speed, but also reflects its broader philosophy. FAST’s Williams, The University of Manchester (UK) /
with respect to the detection of new work in developing a Virtual Scanner • Prof. S. Van Huffel and Prof. U. Himmelreich,
biomarkers. With field strengths as enables quantum-mechanical simulation Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium) / •
high as 14T for in-vivo imaging, this is of in-vivo MRSI signals from spin Prof. H. Möller Universität Leipzig (Germany)
research that could revolutionise the Hamiltonian parameters for diverse, user- / • Dr E. Fotinea, Institute for Language
study of transgenic models of disease. adaptable, measurement protocols. The and Speech Processing (Greece) / • Prof. D.
Some FAST partners were the first to spin Hamiltonian parameters can, in turn, Karras, Technological Educational Institute
score in this field. Similarly, the ability be derived from high-resolution MRS or of Chaldika (Greece) / • Prof. J.P. Antoine,
to map neurochemistry at a spatial from quantum chemistry calculations. The Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium)
resolution equivalent to that achievable simulated MRSI-signals serve as metabolite / • Mr M. Cabanas, Universitat Autònoma
by positron emission tomography – or reference signal database. de Barcelona (Spain) / • Prof. A. Heerschap,
Stichting Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen
(Netherlands) / • Dr Z. Starcuk, Ústav Pístrojové
Techniky (Czech Rep.) / • Prof. R. Gruetter,
The project partners hold expertise in a number of fields, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
(Switzerland) / • Dr R. de Boer, Philips
ranging from medicine right through to theoretical physics, Medical Systems Nederland (Netherlands) /
• Dr E. Weiland, Siemens Medical Solutions
including biochemistry, physics and informatics, leaving FAST (Germany) / • Dr H.P. Juretschke, Sanofi-Aventis
well-placed to equip students with the skills and knowledge Deustschland (Germany) / • Mr M. Tanasoiu,
ALTER Systems (France) / • Dr J. Olaiz, Lyon
they will need to cope with the challenges of the future Ingénierie Projet (France)

Contact Details
even exceeding it – opens up new With the project’s work incorporating Project Coordinator,
perspectives in the phenotyping of research into a number of cutting-edge Dr Danielle Graveron-Demilly
many genetic models. A preponderant areas, all of which require great technical T: +33-472431049
topic covered by FAST is free software expertise, this is no easy task. FAST E: Danielle.Graveron@univ-lyon1.fr
for cutting-edge semi-parametric develops rapid and robust 3D MRSI W: www.FAST-MRS.eu
estimation of metabolite concentrations acquisition techniques and magnetic
and corresponding metabolite images. hyper-polarisation at the forefront of MR- Dr Danielle Graveron-Demilly
Currently called jMRUI (Java-based methodology, both of which present a
Magnetic Resonance User Interface), daunting research challenge.
the software package assures that the Nevertheless, by using both advanced
algorithms FAST devises, can be used interactive web-based materials and
in Clinics and Research Laboratories traditional methods, those within FAST
with minimal effort in an Information are confident they can provide innovative, Project Coordinator
System. To this end, the algorithms are effective, broad-based training to both
packaged in an innovative, collaborative, young researchers and experts. Indeed, Dr Danielle Graveron-Demilly is the
graphical user-interface. Furthermore, the inter-disciplinary, inter-sectorial Vice-Director of the Laboratory
it is based on plug-ins enabling future composition of the FAST project lends CREATIS-LRMN, Université Lyon 1. She
integration of European software itself well to providing training and is an expert in Signal Processing for
packages. Over thousand packages have transferring knowledge in all aspects of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
already been distributed worldwide. MRSI. The project partners hold expertise and leads the successful development
The jMRUI will gradually evolve into in a number of fields, ranging from of the jMRUI software package for
eMRUI (exploitation of the internet). In medicine right through to theoretical medical applications.
addition, j(e)MRUI is a training element physics, including biochemistry, physics
designed to both provide a solid and informatics, leaving FAST well-
grounding for young students in all placed to equip students with the skills
aspects of MRSI, as well as help experts and knowledge they will need to cope
boost their knowledge even further. with the challenges of the future. ★

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