Factors influencing human brain metabolite SNR in studies with hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate
McLean M., Grimmer A., Latimer E., Khan A., Wodtke P., Kaggie J., Grist J., Zaccagna F., Graves M., Gallagher F.
Human brain metabolite SNR in studies with hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate was found to best correlate with percentage polarization in the liquid state and with the polarization adjusted for pyruvate concentration and the delay between dissolution and injection (‘injectable signal’). It did not depend on the volume of pyruvate injected, suggesting that the current dose (which is adjusted by body weight) is adequate. It may be worth further exploring whether the SNR of bicarbonate could be enhanced by a longer delay between injection and the start of acquisition. Liquid and solid-state polarizations did not correlate, highlighting the importance of liquid state measurement.