C04770: Non-invasive MRI Measurement of Tissue Glycogen
Technical Details: Even though it is presently possible to detect and monitor glycogen using nuclear magnetic resonance studies of 13C-labeled compounds, this is an insensitive approach that can only be done at course spatial resolution. This invention relates to a water imaging approach that can image glycogen levels and changes therein using standard clinical MRI scanners and typical MRI resolutions.
Mono- or Polysaccharides are selectively labeled and imaged in the human body to map glycogen, which may have broad relevance across different industries, including in the management of various diseases related to aberrant glycogen metabolism as well as the sports and wellness industry where it may be used to help optimize usage of glycogen during exercise.
Looking for Partners: The approaches described in this disclosure will have to be implemented as a so-called pulse sequence on clinical MRI scanners, including a macro for data acquisition as a function of scan repetition time.
Patent Status: Granted US Patent 7,683,617
