Chapter 3 MRS

3.1 Online Library for MRS Educational Materials

Resources curated from the global MRS community and provided generously by the authors

3.1.1 Introduction to MRS

Beginner

Keywords: chemical shift, J-coupling, relaxation, magnetic field strength

Introduction to basic principles behind MRS including chemical shift, J-coupling, line (peak) splitting, and chemical structure. The importance of shimming, effects of echo time and repetition time, and the effect of external field strength (B0) are also explained.

Video

Ulrike Dydak

3.1.2 Basics of MR Spectroscopy

Beginner

Keywords: spectroscopy, chemical shift, J-coupling, MRS in diagnosis

Introduction to MR signal generation, signal conversion to images, and Fourier transform. Lecture focuses on how MR spectroscopy is different from MR imaging, followed by detailed explanations of chemical shift and J-coupling. Lastly, an introduction to the clinical application of MRS as a diagnostic tool for brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia is provided.

Slide

Ariane Fillmer, PhD

3.1.3 MRS Postprocessing & Quantification

Intermediate

Keywords: Preprocessing, visualization, modeling, quantification, quality assessment, software

Introduction of pre- and post-processing techniques in MRS. MRS data analysis workflow, from raw data export to report generation, is described including considerations such as sequence developer, software version, and acquisition parameters. MRS data analysis steps are explained including preprocessing, visualization, modeling, quantification, and quality assessment. Finally, introduction and comparison of MRS software is provided, including LCModel, jMRUI, TARQUIN, Vespa, FID-A, Gannet, INSPECTOR, Osprey, Spant, and FSL-MRS.

Slide

Georg Oeltzschner, PhD

3.1.3.1 Localization Methods

Intermediate

Keywords: PRESS, STEAM, ISIS, (s)LASER, SPECIAL

This lecture introduces ‘classical’ single voxel in vivo MRS sequences without adiabatic pulses as well as ‘modern’ sequences with adiabatic pulses, including advantages and disadvantages of each sequence. The trade-off between specific absorption rate (SAR), chemical shift displacement (CSD), and TE/measurement time are discussed. Multi-voxel MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) or chemical shift imaging (CSI) is also introduced.

Slide

Layla Tabea Riemann, M.Sc.

3.1.3.2 Calibration & Workflow

Intermediate

Keywords: spectral resolution, B0 shimming, signal-to-noise ratio, water suppression, artifacts

Introduction to key factors for high quality MRS data with artifact free signal and separated and well-defined peaks. High quality data can be achieved with a homogenous B0 (external) magnetic field, adequate signal to noise, and high spectral resolution. A discussion of B0 inhomogeneity is also included. Spectral quality factors are reviewed including (1) shimming, (2) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), (3) water-suppression, (4) spectral-resolution, (5) improving artifacts due to signal from outside the voxel, and (6) motion correction. The overall workflow for optimal spectral quality is also described including, anatomical imaging for voxel placement, reference voltage B0 shim (1-5 minutes), quality check (1minute), and MRS acquisition.

Slide

Ariane Fillmer, PhD

3.1.4 Understanding NMR Spectroscopy

Book

James Keeler

3.1.4.1 Overview

Briefly describes what this course is about: this course is aimed at those who are already familiar with using NMR on a day-to-day basis, but who wish to deepen their understanding of how NMR experiments work and the theory behind them.

3.1.4.2 NMR and Energy Levels

Intermediate

This chapter considers how we can understand the form of the NMR spectrum in terms of the underlying nuclear spin energy levels. Although this approach is more complex than the familiar “successive splitting” method for constructing multiplets it does help us understand how to think about multiplets in terms of “active” and “passive” spins. This approach also makes it possible to understand the form of multiple quantum spectra, which will be useful to us later on in the course. The chapter closes with a discussion of strongly coupled spectra and how they can be analyzed.

3.1.4.3 The Vector Model

Intermediate

This chapter introduces the vector model of NMR. This model has its limitations, but it is very useful for understanding how pulses excite NMR signals. We can also use the vector model to understand the basic, but very important, NMR experiments such as pulse-acquire, inversion recovery and most importantly the spin echo.

3.1.4.4 FT and Data Processing

Intermediate

This chapter is concerned with data processing. The signal we actually record in an NMR experiment is a function of time, and we have to convert this to the usual representation (intensity as a function of frequency) using Fourier transformation. There are quite a lot of useful manipulations that we can carry out on the data to enhance the sensitivity or resolution, depending on what we require. These manipulations are described, and their limitations discussed.

3.1.4.5 How the Spectrometer Works

Intermediate

This chapter is concerned with how the spectrometer works. It is not necessary to understand this is great detail, but it does help to have some basic understanding of what is going on when we “shim the magnet” or “tune the probe”. In this chapter we also introduce some important ideas about how the NMR signal is turned into a digital form, and the consequences that this has.

3.1.4.6 Product Operators

Intermediate

This chapter introduces the product operator formalism for analyzing NMR experiments. This approach is quantum mechanical, in contrast to the semiclassical approach taken by the vector model. We will see that the formalism is well adapted to describing pulsed NMR experiments, and that despite its quantum mechanical rigor it retains a relatively intuitive approach. Using product operators we can describe important phenomena such as the evolution of couplings during spin echoes, coherence transfer and the generation of multiple quantum coherences.

3.1.4.7 2D NMR

Intermediate

This chapter puts the tools for immediate use in analyzing and understanding two-dimensional spectra. Such spectra have proved to be enormously useful in structure determination and are responsible for the explosive growth of NMR over the past 20 years or so. We will concentrate on the most important types of spectra, such as COSY and HMQC, analyzing these in some detail.

3.1.4.8 Relaxation

Intermediate

This chapter considers the important topic of relaxation in NMR. We start out by considering the effects of relaxation, concentrating in particular on the very important nuclear Overhauser effect. We then go on to consider the sources of relaxation and how it is related to molecular properties.

3.1.4.9 Phase Cycling and Gradient Pulses

Advanced

This chapter is concerned with the two methods used in multiple pulse NMR to select a particular outcome in an NMR experiment: phase cycling and field gradient pulses. An understanding of how these work is helpful in getting to grips with the details of how experiments are actually run.

3.1.5 Skeletal Muscle MR Spectroscopy at High Field

Advanced

Keywords: skeletal muscle, 1H spectroscopy, 31P spectroscopy, high field

Introduction to muscle architecture and related application of MRS. A review of 1H MRS muscle spectra with focus on IMCL (Intra-), EMCL (Extra-) -myocellular lipid content, carnitine and carnosine. 31P MRS muscle spectra are also discussed including muscle metabolism and muscular dystrophy.

Slide

Hermien Kan

3.1.6 Skeletal Muscle MR Spectroscopy in Neuromuscular Disease

Advanced

Keywords: neuromuscular disease, skeletal muscle damage, energy metabolism

Introduction to muscular damage and disease with a focus on 31P MRS and utility in diagnosis. Static MRS markers are reviewed, e.g., pH, phosphocreatine, inorganic phosphate, etc, as well as dynamic MRS acquired during exercise.

Slide

Hermien Kan

3.1.7 Coupling Constants

Advanced

Keywords: Hoye’s method, J coupling, the Fermi contact model, virtual coupling, chemical and magnetic equivalence, first and second order spectra

This is an expert level lecture about coupling constants. This lecture trying to answer three questions: 1) what are coupling constants, 2) how big are they, and 3) how can they be extracted from first-order multiplets

Slide

Eugene E. Kwan

3.1.8 Insensitive Nuclei Enhanced by Polarization Transfer (INEPT)

Advanced

A slide about a specific pulse sequence INEPT. This slide briefly introduces main interactions in solution NMR (the chemical shift and the J coupling), and then explains about concepts of spin echo sequence and decoupling. They combined the spin echo and decoupling and tried some theoretical experiments.

Slide

Gareth A. Morris and Ray Freeman

3.4 Selected Books

In Vivo NMR Spectroscopy: Principles and Techniques

Book RA de Graaf, John Wiley & Sons Ltd.,ThirdEdition, 2018

  • It is a comprehensive and comprehendible overview of in vivo MR spectroscopy techniques; very extensive treatment of radiofrequency (RF) pulses including adiabatic RF pulses; probably the reference as a textbook for MRS

Clinical MR Spectroscopy:Techniques and Applications

Book PB Barker, A Bizzi, N De Stefano, R Gullapalli, and DDM Lin, Cambridge University Press,2010

  • It describes the underlying physical principles of MRS and provides a perceptive review of clinical MRS applications.

3.5 MRS Workshop 2018

Intermediate

Lectures from the MRS Metabolic Imaging Workshop in Utrecht, The Netherlands

Topics include multi-voxel MRS, fast metabolic imaging, quality of MRS data, spectral fitting and quantification, applications of MRS, multinuclear MRS, MRS in neuroscience, MRS outside the brain, and consensus discussions

PDF

3.6 2020-2018 ISMRM courses–

Beginner to advanced

Links to all MRS-related educational presentations from the ISMRM Annual Meeting from 2018-2020 Note: an ISMRM login is required

Spreadsheet PS: Click on “view raw” to download it.

3.7 2023 MR Spectroscopy Hackathon Educational Track

Beginner

Keywords: spectroscopy, reproducibility, R

From Basics to Brilliance: An Introduction to RStudio for MR spectroscopy analysis, visualization, and beyond

Slide

Jessica Archibald, PhD

Beginner

Keywords: spectroscopy, reproducibility, data management

Collaborating with yourself: Best practices for managing data, code, and results for MRS analysis projects

Slide

Christopher Davies-Jenkins, PhD

Beginner

Keywords: spectroscopy, coding

Intro to best coding practices for shared projects

Slide

John LaMaster, MSc

Beginner

Keywords: spectroscopy, artifacts

In-vivo MRS: A Gallery of Artifacts revisited

Slide

Erin MacMillan, PhD

Beginner

Keywords: spectroscopy, processing, simulation, FID-A

MRS simulation and preprocessing using the FID-A toolkit

Slide

Jamie Near, PhD

Beginner

Keywords: spectroscopy, coding, git

Tools for productive hacking (basic unix commands, basics of git)

Slide

Ipek Özdemir, PhD