A 3/2-channel 1H/13C RF surface coil for localized 13C MRS in the human frontal lobe at 7 T

Motivation: Studying cerebral metabolism in the human frontal lobe using 13C MR spectroscopy is of great interest but presents challenges due to the low sensitivity of 13C nuclei and SAR limitations at ultrahigh magnetic fields. Goal(s): Our goal was designed a 3/2-channel 1H/13C RF coil specifically for conducting 13C MRS measurements in the human frontal lobe. Approach: The feasibility and effectiveness of the coil design were demonstrated with bench measurements and the application of adiabatic carbon editing (ACE)-STEAM and ISIS-DEPT sequences. Results: The coil enables the acquisition of naturally abundant 13C metabolite signals in both in vitro and in vivo with high sensitivity. Impact: The 3/2-channel 1H/13C RF coil, designed and optimized for 13C MRS study in the human frontal lobe, benefits high transmit efficiency and provides large FOV in the forehead.