Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) has a long history of revealing crucial insights in physiological processes, as it permits the dynamic and non-invasive quantification of the concentration and dynamics of molecular species inside living organisms. It also remains an active area of research, with advances in computing power, new insights in MR pulse sequence design and data reconstruction, and new physical processes -- such as hyperpolarization -- providing a myriad of technically new ways to probe physiology. As MRS permits the quantification of small molecules key to life, such as metabolites, it is possible to dynamically observe processes in real-time and study humans in physiologically distinct states: during exercise, post-prandially, or even asleep, for example. Yet, the validation of these techniques remains challenging, and most are hampered by low signal-to-noise ratios and long acquisition times.
This Research Topic will present the novel descriptions of methods, techniques and applications of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to provide new insights into intact, whole-organism physiology. The use of exciting new techniques, such as hyperpolarization, makes previously inaccessible physiology quantifiable and permits the molecular study of new processes – or, alternatively, provide new views on processes that have previously thought to be relatively understood, such as, for example, the fed/fasted transition.
We would like to solicit new works detailing the physiological behavior of metabolites in animals and people through magnetic resonance studies. Submitted articles could, for example, create or refine a new MR technique and show a proof-of-principle demonstration (e.g. quantifying the metabolism of a particular molecule under different physiological conditions) or alternatively be larger, more applied studies using more standard techniques that can provide novel insights. All studies on humans and animals must meet institutional IRB guidelines. Also review articles would be welcomed.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) has a long history of revealing crucial insights in physiological processes, as it permits the dynamic and non-invasive quantification of the concentration and dynamics of molecular species inside living organisms. It also remains an active area of research, with advances in computing power, new insights in MR pulse sequence design and data reconstruction, and new physical processes -- such as hyperpolarization -- providing a myriad of technically new ways to probe physiology. As MRS permits the quantification of small molecules key to life, such as metabolites, it is possible to dynamically observe processes in real-time and study humans in physiologically distinct states: during exercise, post-prandially, or even asleep, for example. Yet, the validation of these techniques remains challenging, and most are hampered by low signal-to-noise ratios and long acquisition times.
This Research Topic will present the novel descriptions of methods, techniques and applications of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to provide new insights into intact, whole-organism physiology. The use of exciting new techniques, such as hyperpolarization, makes previously inaccessible physiology quantifiable and permits the molecular study of new processes – or, alternatively, provide new views on processes that have previously thought to be relatively understood, such as, for example, the fed/fasted transition.
We would like to solicit new works detailing the physiological behavior of metabolites in animals and people through magnetic resonance studies. Submitted articles could, for example, create or refine a new MR technique and show a proof-of-principle demonstration (e.g. quantifying the metabolism of a particular molecule under different physiological conditions) or alternatively be larger, more applied studies using more standard techniques that can provide novel insights. All studies on humans and animals must meet institutional IRB guidelines. Also review articles would be welcomed.