Repeatability of 13C-MRS for absolute glycogen content quantification in the human liver and skeletal muscle at 7T

Motivation: The extent of methodological variability between repeated measures of tissue glycogen content by 13C-MRS determines the detection limit of actual changes in glycogen due to interventions/disease progression within the same individuals. Goal(s): To assess repeatability of 13C-MRS measurements for glycogen quantification in the human liver and skeletal muscle at 7T. Approach: Absolute glycogen concentrations were determined by applying 13C-MRS at 7T in 12 young healthy volunteers on three different time points, in both liver and muscle. Results: Repeatability of 13C-MRS at 7T for absolute glycogen quantification was good in both liver and muscle tissue. Impact: 13C-MRS at 7T showed good repeatability for absolute glycogen quantification in human liver and muscle, which is promising for its clinical applicability to measure intervention/disease related changes in glycogen content.