Contact
Biomedical Research Center251 Bayview Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21224
Email: yuzheng.hu@nih.gov
Education
B.S. - Physics, Zhejiang University
Ph.D. - Zhejiang University
Research Interests
Dr. Hu received his B.A. (2006) and Ph.D. (2011) in Zhejiang University, China. His thesis dissertation investigated brain plasticity induced by training of abacus-based mental calculations in children, using multiple modalities of MRI methods including DT,VBM and fMRI. He joined the Neuroimaging Research Branch in October, 2011.
My primary interest is brain plasticity and addiction. Through learning and training come new discoveries and practical applications, we come to possess new knowledge and new skills! In our study of abacus training, we found that long term practice of mental abacus operation may enhance the integrity of neural pathways related to abacus calculation (Hu et al., Human Brain Mapping, 2011). It makes sense that you can improve some skills by training, since your brain can adapt to new things by changing its configuration functionally or/and structurally. However, your brain also may change in a bad way and become maladapted, as in the case of drug addiction. How does this happen? This is exactly a matter I am trying to gain more understanding. In one of our recent study (Hu et al., JAMA Psychiatry), we found that it is the balance between “go” (driving some certain of behavior) and “stop” (inhibit inappropriate behaviors) that may result in impulsive/compulsive drug use behavior. Interestingly, our previous study also indicates that the balance between two major excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters (glutamate and GABA, respectively) modulates brain activity (Hu et al., JN, 2013). It may be, not quite clear, that drug abuse breaks the balance between these two neurotransmission systems.
Projects:
- Alterations of cortical striatal functional connectivity in cocaine and nicotine abusers.
- Relationship between neurotransmitter, task-induced neural activity and resting state functional connectivity
- Developing new methods to measure cerebral neurotransmitter concentrations using MRS
- Combinative application of optogenetics and fMRI techniques on drug addiction
Publications
Selected Publications
2017
Geng, Xiujuan; Hu, Yuzheng; Gu, Hong; Salmeron, Betty Jo; Adinoff, Bryon; Stein, Elliot A; Yang, Yihong
Salience and default mode network dysregulation in chronic cocaine users predict treatment outcome. Journal Article
In: Brain, vol. 140, no. 5, pp. 1513–1524, 2017, ISSN: 1460-2156 (Electronic); 0006-8950 (Linking).
@article{Geng2017,
title = {Salience and default mode network dysregulation in chronic cocaine users predict treatment outcome.},
author = {Xiujuan Geng and Yuzheng Hu and Hong Gu and Betty Jo Salmeron and Bryon Adinoff and Elliot A Stein and Yihong Yang},
url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28334915},
doi = {10.1093/brain/awx036},
issn = {1460-2156 (Electronic); 0006-8950 (Linking)},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-05-01},
journal = {Brain},
volume = {140},
number = {5},
pages = {1513--1524},
address = {Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.},
abstract = {While chronic cocaine use is associated with abnormalities in both brain structure and function within and interactions between regions, previous studies have been limited to interrogating structure and function independently, and the detected neural differences have not been applied to independent samples to assess the clinical relevance of results. We investigated consequences of structural differences on resting-state functional connectivity in cocaine addiction and tested whether resting-state functional connectivity of the identified circuits predict relapse in an independent cohort. Subjects included 64 non-treatment-seeking cocaine users (NTSCUs) and 67 healthy control subjects and an independent treatment-completed cohort (n = 45) of cocaine-dependent individuals scanned at the end of a 30-day residential treatment programme. Differences in cortical thickness and related resting-state functional connectivity between NTSCUs and healthy control subjects were identified. Survival analysis, applying cortical thickness of the identified regions, resting-state functional connectivity of the identified circuits and clinical characteristics to the treatment cohort, was used to predict relapse. Lower cortical thickness in bilateral insula and higher thickness in bilateral temporal pole were found in NTSCUs versus healthy control subjects. Whole brain resting-state functional connectivity analyses with these four different anatomical regions as seeds revealed eight weaker circuits including within the salience network (insula seeds) and between temporal pole and elements of the default mode network in NTSCUs. Applying these circuits and clinical characteristics to the independent cocaine-dependent treatment cohort, functional connectivity between right temporal pole and medial prefrontal cortex, combined with years of education, predicted relapse status at 150 days with 88% accuracy. Deficits in the salience network suggest an impaired ability to process physiologically salient events, while abnormalities in a temporal pole-medial prefrontal cortex circuit might speak to the social-emotional functional alterations in cocaine addiction. The involvement of the temporal pole-medial prefrontal cortex circuit in a model highly predictive of relapse highlights the importance of social-emotional functions in cocaine dependence, and provides a potential underlying neural target for therapeutic interventions, and for identifying those at high risk of relapse.},
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}
2015
Wang, Chunjie; Geng, Fengji; Yao, Yuan; Weng, Jian; Hu, Yuzheng; Chen, Feiyan
Abacus Training Affects Math and Task Switching Abilities and Modulates Their Relationships in Chinese Children. Journal Article
In: PLoS One, vol. 10, no. 10, pp. e0139930, 2015, ISSN: 1932-6203 (Electronic); 1932-6203 (Linking).
@article{Wang2015f,
title = {Abacus Training Affects Math and Task Switching Abilities and Modulates Their Relationships in Chinese Children.},
author = {Chunjie Wang and Fengji Geng and Yuan Yao and Jian Weng and Yuzheng Hu and Feiyan Chen},
url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26444689},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0139930},
issn = {1932-6203 (Electronic); 1932-6203 (Linking)},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-10-07},
journal = {PLoS One},
volume = {10},
number = {10},
pages = {e0139930},
address = {Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.},
abstract = {Our previous work demonstrated that abacus-based mental calculation (AMC), a traditional Chinese calculation method, could help children improve their math abilities (e.g. basic arithmetical ability) and executive function (e.g. working memory). This study further examined the effects of long-term AMC training on math ability in visual-spatial domain and the task switching component of executive function. More importantly, this study investigated whether AMC training modulated the relationship between math abilities and task switching. The participants were seventy 7-year-old children who were randomly assigned into AMC and control groups at primary school entry. Children in AMC group received 2-hour AMC training every week since primary school entry. On the contrary, children in the control group had never received any AMC training. Math and task switching abilities were measured one year and three years respectively after AMC training began. The results showed that AMC children performed better than their peers on math abilities in arithmetical and visual-spatial domains. In addition, AMC group responded faster than control group in the switching task, while no group difference was found in switch cost. Most interestingly, group difference was present in the relationships between math abilities and switch cost. These results implied the effect of AMC training on math abilities as well as its relationship with executive function.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2013
Li, Yongxin; Hu, Yuzheng; Wang, Yunqi; Weng, Jian; Chen, Feiyan
Individual structural differences in left inferior parietal area are associated with schoolchildrens' arithmetic scores. Journal Article
In: Front Hum Neurosci, vol. 7, pp. 844, 2013, ISSN: 1662-5161 (Print); 1662-5161 (Linking).
@article{Li2013c,
title = {Individual structural differences in left inferior parietal area are associated with schoolchildrens' arithmetic scores.},
author = {Yongxin Li and Yuzheng Hu and Yunqi Wang and Jian Weng and Feiyan Chen},
url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24367320},
doi = {10.3389/fnhum.2013.00844},
issn = {1662-5161 (Print); 1662-5161 (Linking)},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-12-06},
journal = {Front Hum Neurosci},
volume = {7},
pages = {844},
address = {Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University Hangzhou, China.},
abstract = {Arithmetic skill is of critical importance for academic achievement, professional success and everyday life, and childhood is the key period to acquire this skill. Neuroimaging studies have identified that left parietal regions are a key neural substrate for representing arithmetic skill. Although the relationship between functional brain activity in left parietal regions and arithmetic skill has been studied in detail, it remains unclear about the relationship between arithmetic achievement and structural properties in left inferior parietal area in schoolchildren. The current study employed a combination of voxel-based morphometry (VBM) for high-resolution T1-weighted images and fiber tracking on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to examine the relationship between structural properties in the inferior parietal area and arithmetic achievement in 10-year-old schoolchildren. VBM of the T1-weighted images revealed that individual differences in arithmetic scores were significantly and positively correlated with the gray matter (GM) volume in the left intraparietal sulcus (IPS). Fiber tracking analysis revealed that the forceps major, left superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), bilateral inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF) were the primary pathways connecting the left IPS with other brain areas. Furthermore, the regression analysis of the probabilistic pathways revealed a significant and positive correlation between the fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the left SLF, ILF and bilateral IFOF and arithmetic scores. The brain structure-behavior correlation analyses indicated that the GM volumes in the left IPS and the FA values in the tract pathways connecting left IPS were both related to children's arithmetic achievement. The present findings provide evidence that individual structural differences in the left IPS are associated with arithmetic scores in schoolchildren.},
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pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Hu, Yuzheng; Chen, Xi; Gu, Hong; Yang, Yihong
Resting-state glutamate and GABA concentrations predict task-induced deactivation in the default mode network. Journal Article
In: J Neurosci, vol. 33, no. 47, pp. 18566–18573, 2013, ISSN: 1529-2401 (Electronic); 0270-6474 (Linking).
@article{Hu2013b,
title = {Resting-state glutamate and GABA concentrations predict task-induced deactivation in the default mode network.},
author = {Yuzheng Hu and Xi Chen and Hong Gu and Yihong Yang},
url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24259578},
doi = {10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1973-13.2013},
issn = {1529-2401 (Electronic); 0270-6474 (Linking)},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-11-20},
journal = {J Neurosci},
volume = {33},
number = {47},
pages = {18566--18573},
address = {Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224.},
abstract = {Deactivation of the human brain's default mode network (DMN) is regarded as suppression of endogenous activity to support exogenous task-related processes. This phenomenon has important functional relevance and insufficient DMN deactivation has been implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the neurochemical mechanism of the DMN's deactivation remains largely unknown. In the present study, we test the hypothesis that the major excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, glutamate and GABA, respectively, are associated with DMN deactivation. We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure neurotransmitter concentrations in the posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus (PCC/PCu), a key component of the DMN, and functional magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate DMN deactivation induced by an n-back working memory task. Our results demonstrate significant associations of glutamate and GABA with DMN deactivation. Specifically, high regional GABA concentration in the PCC/PCu area is associated with enhanced deactivation induced by the task in the same region, whereas high glutamate concentration is associated with reduced deactivation. Furthermore, the association between GABA and DMN deactivation increases with the cognitive loads. These neurochemical characteristics of DMN deactivation may provide novel insights toward better understanding of the DMN's functions under normal physiological conditions and dysfunctions in neuropsychiatric disorders.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Hu, Yuzheng; Chen, Xi; Gu, Hong; Yang, Yihong
Resting-state glutamate and GABA concentrations predict task-induced deactivation in the default mode network. Journal Article
In: J Neurosci, vol. 33, no. 47, pp. 18566–18573, 2013, ISSN: 1529-2401 (Electronic); 0270-6474 (Linking).
@article{Hu2013,
title = {Resting-state glutamate and GABA concentrations predict task-induced deactivation in the default mode network.},
author = {Yuzheng Hu and Xi Chen and Hong Gu and Yihong Yang},
url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24259578},
doi = {10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1973-13.2013},
issn = {1529-2401 (Electronic); 0270-6474 (Linking)},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-11-20},
journal = {J Neurosci},
volume = {33},
number = {47},
pages = {18566--18573},
address = {Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224.},
abstract = {Deactivation of the human brain's default mode network (DMN) is regarded as suppression of endogenous activity to support exogenous task-related processes. This phenomenon has important functional relevance and insufficient DMN deactivation has been implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the neurochemical mechanism of the DMN's deactivation remains largely unknown. In the present study, we test the hypothesis that the major excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, glutamate and GABA, respectively, are associated with DMN deactivation. We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure neurotransmitter concentrations in the posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus (PCC/PCu), a key component of the DMN, and functional magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate DMN deactivation induced by an n-back working memory task. Our results demonstrate significant associations of glutamate and GABA with DMN deactivation. Specifically, high regional GABA concentration in the PCC/PCu area is associated with enhanced deactivation induced by the task in the same region, whereas high glutamate concentration is associated with reduced deactivation. Furthermore, the association between GABA and DMN deactivation increases with the cognitive loads. These neurochemical characteristics of DMN deactivation may provide novel insights toward better understanding of the DMN's functions under normal physiological conditions and dysfunctions in neuropsychiatric disorders.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Du, Fenglei; Chen, Feiyan; Li, Yongxin; Hu, Yuzheng; Tian, Mei; Zhang, Hong
Abacus training modulates the neural correlates of exact and approximate calculations in Chinese children: an fMRI study. Journal Article
In: Biomed Res Int, vol. 2013, pp. 694075, 2013, ISSN: 2314-6141 (Electronic).
@article{Du2013,
title = {Abacus training modulates the neural correlates of exact and approximate calculations in Chinese children: an fMRI study.},
author = {Fenglei Du and Feiyan Chen and Yongxin Li and Yuzheng Hu and Mei Tian and Hong Zhang},
url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24288683},
doi = {10.1155/2013/694075},
issn = {2314-6141 (Electronic)},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-10-30},
journal = {Biomed Res Int},
volume = {2013},
pages = {694075},
address = {Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou 310027, China.},
abstract = {Exact (EX) and approximate (AP) calculations rely on distinct neural circuits. However, the training effect on the neural correlates of EX and AP calculations is largely unknown, especially for the AP calculation. Abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) is a particular arithmetic skill that can be acquired by long-term abacus training. The present study investigated whether and how the abacus training modulates the neural correlates of EX and AP calculations by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Neural activations were measured in 20 abacus-trained and 19 nontrained Chinese children during AP and EX calculation tasks. Our results demonstrated that: (1) in nontrained children, similar neural regions were activated in both tasks, while the size of activated regions was larger in AP than those in the EX; (2) in abacus-trained children, no significant difference was found between these two tasks; (3) more visuospatial areas were activated in abacus-trained children under the EX task compared to the nontrained. These results suggested that more visuospatial strategies were used by the nontrained children in the AP task compared to the EX; abacus-trained children adopted a similar strategy in both tasks; after long-term abacus training, children were more inclined to apply a visuospatial strategy during processing EX calculations.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Li, Yongxin; Wang, Yunqi; Hu, Yuzheng; Liang, Yurong; Chen, Feiyan
In: Front Hum Neurosci, vol. 7, pp. 335, 2013, ISSN: 1662-5161 (Print); 1662-5161 (Linking).
@article{Li2013b,
title = {Structural changes in left fusiform areas and associated fiber connections in children with abacus training: evidence from morphometry and tractography.},
author = {Yongxin Li and Yunqi Wang and Yuzheng Hu and Yurong Liang and Feiyan Chen},
url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23847506},
doi = {10.3389/fnhum.2013.00335},
issn = {1662-5161 (Print); 1662-5161 (Linking)},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-07-04},
journal = {Front Hum Neurosci},
volume = {7},
pages = {335},
address = {Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University Hangzhou, P. R. China.},
abstract = {Evidence supports the notion that the fusiform gyrus (FG), as an integral part of the ventral occipitotemporal junction, is involved widely in cognitive processes as perceiving faces, objects, places or words, and this region also might represent the visual form of an abacus in the abacus-based mental calculation process. The current study uses a combined voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) analysis to test whether long-term abacus training could induce structural changes in the left FG and in the white matter (WM) tracts distribution connecting with this region in school children. We found that, abacus-trained children exhibited significant smaller gray matter (GM) volume than controls in the left FG. And the connectivity mapping identified left forceps major as a key pathway connecting left FG with other brain areas in the trained group, but not in the controls. Furthermore, mean fractional anisotropy (FA) values within left forceps major were significantly increased in the trained group. Interestingly, a significant negative correlation was found in the trained group between the GM volume in left FG and the mean FA value in left forceps major, suggesting an inverse effect of the reported GM and WM structural changes. In the control group, a positive correlation between left FG GM volume and tract FA was found as well. This analysis visualized the group level differences in GM volume, FA and fiber tract between the abacus-trained children and the controls, and provided the first evidence that GM volume change in the left FG is intimately linked with the micro-structural properties of the left forceps major tracts. The present results demonstrate the structural changes in the left FG from the intracortical GM to the subcortical WM regions and provide insights into the neural mechanism of structural plasticity induced by abacus training.},
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pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Wang, Yunqi; Geng, Fengji; Hu, Yuzheng; Du, Fenglei; Chen, Feiyan
Numerical processing efficiency improved in experienced mental abacus children. Journal Article
In: Cognition, vol. 127, no. 2, pp. 149–158, 2013, ISSN: 1873-7838 (Electronic); 0010-0277 (Linking).
@article{Wang2013b,
title = {Numerical processing efficiency improved in experienced mental abacus children.},
author = {Yunqi Wang and Fengji Geng and Yuzheng Hu and Fenglei Du and Feiyan Chen},
url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23454790},
doi = {10.1016/j.cognition.2012.12.004},
issn = {1873-7838 (Electronic); 0010-0277 (Linking)},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-03-01},
journal = {Cognition},
volume = {127},
number = {2},
pages = {149--158},
address = {Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China.},
abstract = {Experienced mental abacus (MA) users are able to perform mental arithmetic calculations with unusual speed and accuracy. However, it remains unclear whether their extraordinary gains in mental arithmetic ability are accompanied by an improvement in numerical processing efficiency. To address this question, the present study, using a numerical Stroop paradigm, examined the numerical processing efficiency of experienced MA children, MA beginners and their respective peers. The results showed that experienced MA children were less influenced than their peers by physical size information when intentionally processing numerical magnitude information, but they were more influenced than their peers by numerical magnitude information when intentionally processing physical size information. By contrast, MA beginners and peers showed no differences in the reciprocal influences between the two conflicting dimensions. These findings indicate that substantial gains in numerical processing efficiency could be achieved through long-term intensive MA training. Implications for numerical magnitude representations and for training students with mathematical learning disabilities are discussed.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2011
Hu, Yuzheng; Geng, Fengji; Tao, Lixia; Hu, Nantu; Du, Fenglei; Fu, Kuang; Chen, Feiyan
Enhanced white matter tracts integrity in children with abacus training. Journal Article
In: Hum Brain Mapp, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 10–21, 2011, ISSN: 1097-0193 (Electronic); 1065-9471 (Linking).
@article{Hu2011,
title = {Enhanced white matter tracts integrity in children with abacus training.},
author = {Yuzheng Hu and Fengji Geng and Lixia Tao and Nantu Hu and Fenglei Du and Kuang Fu and Feiyan Chen},
url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20235096},
doi = {10.1002/hbm.20996},
issn = {1097-0193 (Electronic); 1065-9471 (Linking)},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-01-01},
journal = {Hum Brain Mapp},
volume = {32},
number = {1},
pages = {10--21},
address = {Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.},
abstract = {Experts of abacus, who have the skills of abacus-based mental calculation (AMC), are able to manipulate numbers via an imagined abacus in mind and demonstrate extraordinary ability in mental calculation. Behavioral studies indicated that abacus experts utilize visual strategy in solving numerical problems, and fMRI studies confirmed the enhanced involvement of visuospatial-related neural resources in AMC. This study aims to explore the possible changes in brain white matter induced by long-term training of AMC. Two matched groups participated: the abacus group consisting of 25 children with over 3-year training in abacus calculation and AMC, the controls including 25 children without any abacus experience. We found that the abacus group showed higher average fractional anisotropy (FA) in whole-brain fiber tracts, and the regions with increased FA were found in corpus callosum, left occipitotemporal junction and right premotor projection. No regions, however, showed decreased FA in the abacus group. Further analysis revealed that the differences in FA values were mainly driven by the alternation of radial rather than axial diffusivities. Furthermore, in forward digit and letter memory span tests, AMC group showed larger digit/letter memory spans. Interestingly, individual differences in white matter tracts were found positively correlated with the memory spans, indicating that the widespread increase of FA in the abacus group result possibly from the AMC training. In conclusion, our findings suggested that long-term AMC training from an early age may improve the memory capacity and enhance the integrity in white matter tracts related to motor and visuospatial processes.},
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tppubtype = {article}
}
Geng, Fengji; Hu, Yuzheng; Wang, Yunqi; Chen, Feiyan
Two types of behavioral inhibition: Relations to effortful control and attention in school children Journal Article
In: Journal of Research in Personality, vol. 45, no. 6, pp. 662 - 669, 2011, ISSN: 0092-6566.
@article{GENG2011662,
title = {Two types of behavioral inhibition: Relations to effortful control and attention in school children},
author = {Fengji Geng and Yuzheng Hu and Yunqi Wang and Feiyan Chen},
url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092656611001395},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2011.09.005},
issn = {0092-6566},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Research in Personality},
volume = {45},
number = {6},
pages = {662 - 669},
abstract = {This study aimed to examine the relationship of two types of behavioral inhibition, social inhibition and nonsocial inhibition, to effortful control and attention in 7--9-year olds. Social and nonsocial inhibition and effortful control were assessed by questionnaires. The child version of the Attention Network Task was used to measure attention including alerting, orienting and executive attention. Results indicated that in girls, social inhibition was negatively related to effortful control and alerting, while nonsocial inhibition was positively related to orienting; there was an interaction between social and nonsocial inhibition in predicting executive attention in boys. Thus, it is of great significance to differentiate social and nonsocial inhibition when examining the association between behavioral inhibition and effortful control and attention in school-age children.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2009
Du, Yiping P; Jin, Zhaoyang; Hu, Yuzheng; Tanabe, Jody
Multi-echo acquisition of MR angiography and venography of the brain at 3 Tesla. Journal Article
In: J Magn Reson Imaging, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 449–454, 2009, ISSN: 1053-1807 (Print); 1053-1807 (Linking).
@article{Du2009,
title = {Multi-echo acquisition of MR angiography and venography of the brain at 3 Tesla.},
author = {Yiping P Du and Zhaoyang Jin and Yuzheng Hu and Jody Tanabe},
url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19629975},
doi = {10.1002/jmri.21833},
issn = {1053-1807 (Print); 1053-1807 (Linking)},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-08-01},
journal = {J Magn Reson Imaging},
volume = {30},
number = {2},
pages = {449--454},
address = {Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado 80045, USA. yiping.du@ucdenver.edu},
abstract = {PURPOSE: To improve the visibility of veins in susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) using a multi-gradient echo acquisition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A three-dimensional multi-echo gradient-echo pulse sequence was developed for simultaneous acquisition of MR angiography and multiple volumes of MR venography (MRV) of the brain. The first echo was acquired for MR angiography using the time-of-flight in-flow effect. The subsequent echoes were acquired for SWI-based MRV at different echo times (TEs). RESULTS: Multiple MRV datasets acquired at different TEs were complementary in depicting the venous vasculature. MRV data acquired at a longer TE had a higher venous contrast and stronger susceptibility weighting, whereas MRV data acquired at a shorter TE had a higher signal-to-noise ratio and less severe off-resonance artifacts. Three-dimensional mapping of local field gradients was calculated and the transverse relaxivity (R(2)) at each voxel was quantified using multi-TE exponential fitting. CONCLUSION: Multi-echo acquisition of MR angiography and venography demonstrated improved visibility of venous vasculature especially in regions with severe field inhomogeneity compared with conventional acquisition of SWI and dual-echo acquisition of MR angiography and venography.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}