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The Alabama Advanced Imaging Consortium (AAIC) promotes collaboration, project management, and support between the major research centers in the field of imaging in the State of Alabama and promotes innovative research and the submission of research and training grant proposals to Federal or other funding agencies.

Their Annual Retreat is right around the corner!

The 2025 Annual AAIC Retreat (15th Annual) will be Friday and Saturday, July 18-19. For more information, click 'Learn more'

Polarian Xe Hyperpolarizer Installation at UAB Research MRI Core

The Polarian Xe Hyperpolarizer represents an exciting advancement in imaging capabilities at the UAB Research MRI Core. This state-of-the-art system is designed to hyperpolarize xenon-129 gas, significantly enhancing its signal for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications, particularly in pulmonary and other specialized physiological research.

Key Features and Capabilities

1. Hyperpolarization of Xenon-129 Gas: The Polarian Xe Hyperpolarizer utilizes laser-driven spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP) to hyperpolarize xenon-129 nuclei. This process increases the nuclear spin polarization by several orders of magnitude compared to thermally polarized gas, resulting in a much stronger MRI signal.
2. Enhanced Pulmonary Imaging: With hyperpolarized xenon-129 gas, researchers can capture highly detailed images of lung structure and function. This is invaluable for studying diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, and other respiratory conditions.
3. Non-invasive Functional Imaging: Unlike traditional contrast agents, hyperpolarized xenon-129 is non-toxic and can be inhaled by patients, making it an ideal tool for non-invasive imaging of gas exchange, ventilation, and diffusion processes in the lungs.
4. Broader Research Applications: In addition to pulmonary imaging, hyperpolarized xenon can be used for other MRI research, such as brain perfusion studies, exploring gas-exchange mechanisms in the alveoli, or even imaging specific tissues and organs where xenon can dissolve and provide contrast.

Benefits to UAB Research and Clinical Studies

• Improved Sensitivity: The hyperpolarized xenon-129 signal is up to 100,000 times stronger than that of thermally polarized gases, enabling the detection of subtle physiological changes that would otherwise be invisible in conventional MRI scans.
• Faster Imaging: Researchers can acquire high-quality images more quickly, which may reduce the need for prolonged scan times and improve patient comfort during research studies.
• Cutting-edge Pulmonary Research: The addition of this hyperpolarizer will allow UAB researchers to perform cutting-edge pulmonary MRI studies, positioning UAB as a leader in the development of novel diagnostic techniques for lung diseases.

Integration with the UAB Research MRI Core
The Polarian Xe Hyperpolarizer will be integrated into the existing infrastructure at the UAB Research MRI Core, providing researchers across disciplines with access to this powerful tool. The system will be available for collaborative projects, enabling a wide range of investigations, from basic science to clinical translational research.

Summary of Benefits:

• High-resolution lung imaging for diagnosing and understanding respiratory diseases.
• Non-invasive, safe contrast medium with hyperpolarized xenon-129 gas.
• Enhanced functional imaging to study gas exchange and tissue perfusion.
• Broader research applications in areas beyond pulmonary imaging.

With the upcoming installation of the Polarian Xe Hyperpolarizer, UAB is poised to advance its capabilities in biomedical imaging, offering researchers a cutting-edge tool for studying human physiology in unprecedented detail. This addition will further solidify UAB’s role in pioneering MRI research and clinical applications.

University of Alabama Research MRI Core Expands Capabilities with Multinuclear MRS Technology
The University of Alabama’s Research MRI Core is excited to announce a significant enhancement to its imaging capabilities: the addition of multinuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) technology for the Siemens PRISMA 3T MRI system. This advancement includes the integration of the Xenon (Xe) hyperpolarizer, a phosphorus anterior array coil, and a phosphorus head coil. These acquisitions represent a leap forward in the facility’s ability to support cutting-edge research and provide users with unprecedented opportunities in biomedical imaging.
Advancing Research with Multinuclear MRS Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) extends the functionality of traditional MRI by allowing non-invasive measurement of biochemical changes in tissues. While conventional MRI primarily images hydrogen nuclei (1H) due to their abundance in water and fat, multinuclear MRS opens the door to studying other nuclei such as phosphorus (31P) and xenon (129Xe). These nuclei provide unique insights into cellular metabolism, energy usage, and perfusion that are not accessible through proton imaging alone. The addition of multinuclear MRS capability allows researchers to:

• Investigate Cellular Metabolism: Phosphorus MRS enables the study of high-energy phosphate compounds like ATP and phosphocreatine, providing direct measurements of cellular energy metabolism, which is critical in research on muscular disorders, brain function, and cardiac health.
• Assess Brain and Organ Function: Xenon gas, when hyperpolarized, becomes highly sensitive for MRS imaging. 129Xe MRS can be used to assess lung function and cerebral blood flow, offering new avenues for research in respiratory diseases, neurovascular conditions, and anesthetic mechanisms.

Multinuclear MRS with the new Xe Hyperpolarizer and Phosphorus Coils
The acquisition of a Xenon hyperpolarizer is a significant advance for the MRI Core. Hyperpolarization dramatically increases the signal of xenon nuclei, overcoming the sensitivity limitations that usually hinder multinuclear imaging. With hyperpolarized 129Xe, researchers can achieve high-resolution images and spectroscopic data of gas exchange processes in the lungs and other organs.
The phosphorus anterior array coil and phosphorus head coil are specialized tools designed to optimize 31P MRS studies. These coils enhance signal reception from phosphorus nuclei, enabling high-quality data acquisition from targeted regions such as skeletal muscles and the brain. This is particularly beneficial for studies on metabolic disorders, muscular diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions.
Recent expansion of the MRI Core’s capabilities with multinuclear MRS technology offers several benefits:

• Enhanced Research Opportunities: Researchers across various disciplines–including neuroscience, cardiology, pulmonology, and metabolic studies–can now pursue innovative projects that were previously unattainable due to technological limitations.
• Attracting Collaborations and Funding: With state-of-the-art equipment, the MRI Core becomes a more attractive partner for multidisciplinary collaborations, grants, and research initiatives at both national and international levels.
• Training and Education: The new technology provides a platform for training students and staff in advanced imaging techniques, fostering the next generation of scientists and clinicians skilled in cutting-edge diagnostic tools.
• Improved Patient Care Research: Insights gained from multinuclear MRS studies have the potential to translate into better diagnostic methods and treatments for various diseases, ultimately benefiting patient outcomes.

By integrating multinuclear MRS capability, the University of Alabama’s Research MRI Core solidifies its position as a leading facility in biomedical imaging research. This enhancement not only broadens the scope of scientific inquiry but also demonstrates the Core’s commitment to supporting pioneering research endeavors. Researchers interested in utilizing the new multinuclear MRS technology are encouraged to contact the MRI Core facility to discuss project ideas and schedule time on the system. The staff is available to provide expertise and support in designing and executing studies that leverage these advanced imaging capabilities. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact the University of Alabama Research MRI Core.

Mock MRI scanners are used to help people prepare for an MRI scan by simulating the MRI experience. Here are some excellent benefits of our Mock MRI:

• Assess readiness
  Child Life Therapists use mock MRI scanners to determine if a child can have an MRI without sedation.
• Reduce anxiety
  Mock MRI scanners help people feel more comfortable in the MRI environment and reduce anxiety.
• Practice tasks
  Mock MRI scanners allow people to practice tasks like keeping still or holding their breath.
• Collect data
  Mock MRI scanners can collect behavioral data and head motion information to help develop tasks that work in the scanner.
• Support research
  Mock MRI scanners can support pediatric research studies by helping children get comfortable with the MRI environment.

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood oxygenation and volume. It operates by emitting near-infrared light into the scalp and measuring the absorption and scattering of that light as it passes through cortical tissue. This allows researchers to infer neural activity based on hemodynamic responses, similar to fMRI, but with key advantages such as portability, cost-effectiveness, and tolerance to movement. For more information, click 'Learn more'.