MRx maps brain biomarkers in noncontrast MRI scan

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers have developed multiplexed MRI, an acquisition and processing method that can map more than 20 brain biomarkers in a single noncontrast scan. The work was published in Nature.

MRx uses an AI-powered framework to produce high-resolution multiparametric maps of structural, physiological, and molecular brain markers. Researchers demonstrated the technique in brain tumors and multiple sclerosis lesions.

A whole-brain MRx scan can be completed in approximately 14 minutes, according to the university. Researchers said that is within a clinically acceptable time frame and shorter than conventional multicontrast clinical MRI protocols, which can take up to 1 hour.

Nature’s abstract states that MRx can obtain a large set of quantitative biomarkers of the whole brain in standard clinical settings. The authors also reported that these biomarkers could define a tissue state index for disease subtyping and lesion characterization in tumors and MS.

Rong Guo, PhD, a coauthor and senior scientist at Siemens Healthineers, said MRx measures multiple markers “without the need for contrast agents.”

University researchers said the biomarkers provide information related to tissue metabolism, neurotransmission, physiological function, and structural characteristics. The technique may support research into early detection, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring for brain diseases, according to the university.

The study, “Multiplexed magnetic resonance imaging,” was authored by Yudu Li, Rong Guo, Yibo Zhao, Wen Jin, Ziwen Ke, Liang Chen, Xiangjun Chen, Weijun Tang, Yao Li, and Zhi-Pei Liang.