Translation of Hyperpolarized [13C,15N2]Urea MRI for Novel Human Brain Perfusion Studies
Motivation: Motivated by the need for safe, non-invasive perfusion imaging, this study developed sterile, hyperpolarized [13C,15N2]urea as a novel MR molecular imaging probe for brain imaging. Goal(s): We aimed to develop and apply a sterile hyperpolarized [13C,15N2]urea for human brain imaging, optimizing its use for detailed visualization of brain vasculature. Approach: A new approach was implemented to produce hyperpolarized [13C,15N2]urea sterile doses, and hyperpolarized [13C,15N2]urea imaging was conducted in healthy brain volunteers. Results: A sterile single-agent hyperpolarized [13C,15N2]urea probe was produced, enabling first-in-human 13C imaging of cerebral blood flow, depicting clear vascular structures and consistent arterial and venous signals across subjects. Impact: First-in-human brain MRI studies with single-agent hyperpolarized [13C,15N2]urea effectively visualized brain vasculature, including arterial and venous circulation. This study lays the groundwork for clinical translation, opening possibilities for perfusion imaging in neurological and systemic conditions.
Authors
- Chris Suszczynski
- John V. Kurhanewicz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3544-5339)
- Duan Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0550-4235)
- Daniel B. Vigneron (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5795-8699)
- Tanner Nickles (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4322-2431)
- Peder E. Z. Larson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4183-3634)
- Yaewon Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1016-1572)
- Adam Gaunt
- Robert Bok (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1737-9056)
- Jeremy W. Gordon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2760-4886)
- Javier Villanueva‐Meyer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1212-4233)
- Rui Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0445-7847)
- Charlie Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5495-9546)
- Hsin-Yu Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9310-4122)
- James Slater
- Susan M. Chang
- Duy Dang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4508-2249)
- Chou T. Tan
- Sri Maddali
- Illia Shkliar
Publication Details
- Journal
- Proceedings on CD-ROM - International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. Scientific Meeting and Exhibition/Proceedings of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Scientific Meeting and Exhibition
- Published
- 2025-09-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.58530/2025/3061
- Primary Topic
- Advanced NMR Techniques and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00